Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 06 (of 20)Sumner, Charles
History
Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 06 (of 20)
Sumner, Charles
Slavery -- United States; Speeches, addresses, etc., American
With pleasure I learn that the Governor will preside at your
earliest public meeting. But this is only according to the just
rule of life. Kindred to honors are duties; and the head of a
Christian Commonwealth should be the head of this Christian
charity, while every citizen should range in place, and our
beloved Massachusetts, by the contributions, voices, and votes
of her unanimous children, should become one united, compact,
all-embracing _Kansas Relief Society_, at once an overflowing
fountain of beneficence and an irresistible example to the
country. For myself, I would rather a thousand times serve
this cause, even in the humblest capacity, than be a Governor
indifferent to its appeals.
All that can be given is needed; and whoso gives bestows upon
a missionary enterprise, which, in the footsteps of Liberty,
will carry peace, civilization, Christianity, the Bible, and all
blessings of earth and heaven. To such a charity every person
must give; if in no other way, the man who has two coats must
sell one, and let Kansas have the other. But, while encouraging
this effort, candor compels the confession that all your
contributions will be of small account, unless a President and
Congress are chosen who shall give their sympathies to Freedom
rather than to Slavery. Only in this way can the rod of the
oppressor be broken. A vote for such men will be a contribution
to Kansas.
Present my thanks to your associates, and accept for yourself the
assurance of my special gratitude for that constant devotion to
human freedom by which you have been distinguished.
Ever faithfully yours,
CHARLES SUMNER.
DR. W. F. CHANNING.
DUTY TO VOTE FOR KANSAS AND FOR BURLINGAME.
LETTER TO A MEETING AT FANEUIL HALL, OCTOBER 29, 1856.
PHILADELPHIA, October 29, 1856.
SIR,--I cannot be at Faneuil Hall on Saturday evening, according
to the invitation with which I have been honored. But, though
feeble still, I hope to be in Boston on the succeeding Tuesday,
to vote. If not strong enough to speak, I trust at least to be
able to perform this duty of the citizen.
My vote will not be needed; but I am unwilling that the
opportunity should pass of uttering my determined NO against
the efforts now making to subjugate Kansas and to install the
Slave Oligarchy in permanent control of the National Government.
Against this dreadful conspiracy I protest, with all the ardor
of my soul; and I know no way in which I can hope to make
this protest immediately effective, except by casting my vote
for those candidates openly and unequivocally hostile to the
consummation of the crime.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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