Meanwhile I protest against the false glosses originally fastened upon the Constitution by Slavery, and, now continued, often in unconsciousness of their origin, perverting it to the vilest uses of tyranny. I protest against that exaggeration of pretension which out of a power to make “regulations” and to determine “qualifications” can derive an unrepublican prerogative. I protest against that pretension which would make the asserted Equality of States the cover for a denial of the Equality of Men. The one is an artificial rule, relating to artificial bodies; the other is a natural rule, relating to natural bodies. The one is little more than a legal fiction; the other is a truth of Nature. Here is a distinction which Alexander Hamilton recognized, when, in the debates of the Convention, he nobly said:-- “As States are a collection of individual men, which ought we to respect most,--the rights of the people composing them, or of the artificial beings resulting from the composition? Nothing could be more preposterous or absurd than to sacrifice the former to the latter.”[234] High above States, as high above men, are those commanding principles which cannot be denied with impunity. They will be found in the Declaration of Independence, expressed so clearly that all can read them. Though few, they are mighty. There is no humility in bending to their behests. As man rises in the scale of being while walking in obedience to the Divine will, so is a State elevated by obedience to these everlasting truths. Nor can we look for harmony in our country until these principles bear unquestioned sway, without any interdict from the States. That unity for which the Nation longs, with peace and reconciliation in its train, can be assured only through the Equal Rights of All, proclaimed by the Nation everywhere within its limits, and maintained by the national arm. Then will the Constitution be filled and inspired by the Declaration of Independence, so that the two shall be one, with a common life, a common authority, and a common glory. ELIGIBILITY OF A COLORED CITIZEN TO CONGRESS. LETTER TO AN INQUIRER AT NORFOLK, VA., JUNE 22, 1868. This letter appeared in a Richmond paper. SENATE CHAMBER, June 22, 1868. DEAR SIR,--I have your letter of the 18th, in reference to the eligibility of a colored man to Congress. I know of no ground on which he could be excluded from his seat, if duly elected; and I should welcome the election of a competent representative of the colored race to either House of Congress as a final triumph of the cause of Equal Rights. Until this step is taken, our success is incomplete. Yours truly, CHARLES SUMNER. INDEPENDENCE, AND THOSE WHO SAVED THE ORIGINAL WORK. LETTER ON THE SOLDIERS’ MONUMENT AT NORTH WEYMOUTH, MASS., JULY 2, 1868. SENATE CHAMBER, July 2, 1868.