Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 05 (of 20)Sumner, Charles
History
Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 05 (of 20)
Sumner, Charles
Slavery -- United States; Speeches, addresses, etc., American
I have no desire to precipitate the debate on this important question,
under which the country already shakes from side to side, and which
threatens to scatter from its folds civil war. Nor, indeed, am I
disposed to enter upon it, until I have the opportunity of seeing in
print the elaborate documents which have been read to-day. But I cannot
allow the subject to pass away, even for this hour, without repelling
at once, distinctly and unequivocally, the assault which has been made
upon the Emigrant Aid Company of Massachusetts. That Company has done
nothing for which it can be condemned under the laws and Constitution
of the land. These it has not offended in letter or spirit,--not in
the slightest letter, nor in the remotest spirit. It is true, it has
sent men to Kansas; and had it not a right to send them? It is true, I
trust, that its agents love Freedom and hate Slavery; and have they not
a right to do so? Their offence has this extent, and no more. Sir, to
the whole arraignment of that Company, in the report of the Committee
on Territories, I now for them plead, “Not guilty!” and confidently
appeal to the country for that honorable acquittal which is due to
their patriot services.
The outrages in Kansas are vindicated or extenuated by the alleged
misconduct of the Emigrant Aid Company. Very well, Sir; a bad cause is
naturally staked on untenable ground. You cannot show the misconduct.
Any such allegation will fail. And you now begin your game with loaded
dice.
UNION TO SAVE KANSAS, AND UNION TO SAVE OURSELVES.
LETTER TO A NEW YORK COMMITTEE, APRIL 28, 1856.
SENATE CHAMBER, April 28, 1856.
DEAR SIR,--I cannot be at your proposed meeting, where are
to assemble the patriotism, intelligence, and wealth of the
metropolis; but I recognize its importance, and cry to it
_God-speed!_
The work before us is plain. Kansas must be saved from a
tyrannical usurpation, under which Slavery has been forcibly
established on Free Soil. This is the special object of labor
to which we are summoned by every consideration of regard for
that distant Territory, and also by every sentiment of love for
our common country. But this can be done only by her immediate
welcome into the Union, under her present Constitution, as a Free
State,--of course without recognition of the usurping Tyranny.
Upon this we must insist, as the means essential to the end.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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