Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 12 (of 20)

"Charles Sumner: His Complete Works, Volume 12 (of 20)" by Charles Sumner is a collection of political speeches and letters written during the mid-19th century. This volume centers on significant events and themes surrounding the American Civil War, including Reconstruction, emancipation, and the political battles of the time, particularly in relation to slavery and civil rights. Readers can expect to engage with powerful rhetoric and ideas that influenced the shaping of modern American political discourse. The opening of this volume presents multiple pieces, beginning with Sumner's speech delivered at a public meeting celebrating the victory of Abraham Lincoln in the 1864 presidential election. He joyfully proclaims this outcome as a monumental shift towards liberty and the end of slavery, portraying the Democratic party as corrupt and traitorous for its association with the rebellion. Following this, Sumner expresses his admiration for fellow politician James M. Ashley, discusses the case of the Florida war-steamer captured in Brazilian waters, and reflects on the need for justice and civil rights for freedmen. These excerpts establish both the urgency and optimism of the era, highlighting Sumner's strong commitment to liberty, justice, and the struggles faced by marginalized groups in the pursuit of equality. (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.