Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 07 (of 20)

"Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 07 (of 20)" by Charles Sumner is a historical account composed in the mid-19th century. This volume presents a collection of speeches and writings by Sumner, a prominent abolitionist and U.S. senator, centered around his staunch opposition to slavery and advocacy for civil rights. The work likely spans critical moments leading up to the Civil War, highlighting the political tensions of the time. The opening of this volume introduces letters and speeches made by Sumner in 1860, addressing the moral and constitutional arguments against slavery. He expresses his unwavering condemnation of the Fugitive Slave Act, calls for public opinion to render it ineffective, and desires to reinforce the dignity of human rights through education and moral governance. Through these writings, Sumner emphasizes the responsibilities of citizens and lawmakers to uphold justice, ultimately advocating for a society where freedom prevails over oppression. His eloquent expressions reveal deep convictions and passionate appeals for progress in a nation grappling with the moral dilemmas of slavery. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Charles Sumner was an American lawyer, politician, and statesman who represented Massachusetts in the United States Senate from 1851 until his death in 1874. Before and during the American Civil War, he was a leading American advocate for the abolition of slavery. He chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1861 to 1871, until he lost the position following a dispute with President Ulysses S. Grant over the attempted annexation of Santo Domingo. After breaking with Grant, he joined the Liberal Republican Party, spending his final two years in the Senate alienated from his party. Sumner had a controversial and divisive legacy for many years after his death, but in recent decades, his historical reputation has improved in recognition of his early support for racial equality.