Charles Sumner
Charles Sumner: A Life of Passion and Principle
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Charles Sumner was born on January 6, 1811, in Boston, Massachusetts, to a family of modest means. He is often referred to by his full name or simply as "Chuck" among friends and acquaintances.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: January 6, 1811
Died: March 11, 1874
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Charles Sumner was an American abolitionist and politician. He served in the United States Senate from 1851 until his death in 1874.
Early Life and Background
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Sumner's early life was marked by a strong sense of justice and compassion for the downtrodden. Growing up in Boston, he witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by immigrants and African Americans. This exposure shaped his commitment to social reform and ultimately led him to become one of the most influential voices against slavery.
Major Accomplishments
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Sumner's life was defined by several pivotal events and accomplishments:
1. Speech Against Slavery: In 1852, Sumner delivered a scathing speech in which he condemned the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed new states to decide whether to allow slavery or not. This speech earned him both praise and criticism but also solidified his reputation as an uncompromising opponent of slavery.
2. Censure by the Senate: In 1856, a fellow senator named Andrew P. Butler physically attacked Sumner on the Senate floor in response to his anti-slavery views. The incident led to a dramatic increase in Sumner's popularity and further solidified his commitment to ending slavery.
3. Support for the Civil War Effort: During the Civil War, Sumner played a key role in mobilizing public support for the Union cause.
Notable Works or Actions
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Sumner was an articulate writer and eloquent speaker. Some of his notable works include:
The Emancipation Proclamation, a speech delivered in 1863 that called for the immediate emancipation of all slaves.
A Memorial on Slavery, a written appeal to President Abraham Lincoln urging him to consider the moral implications of slavery.
Impact and Legacy
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Sumner's unwavering commitment to ending slavery made him one of the most respected voices in American history. His legacy extends beyond his political career:
1. End of Slavery: Sumner's relentless advocacy played a significant role in bringing an end to slavery in the United States.
2. Advancement of Civil Rights: His work laid the groundwork for future civil rights movements, including those focused on women's suffrage and racial equality.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Charles Sumner is widely quoted and remembered for his passionate advocacy against slavery and his commitment to social justice. His unwavering dedication to principle in the face of adversity has made him an inspiration to countless individuals throughout American history.
Quotes by Charles Sumner
Charles Sumner's insights on:
No true and permanent fame can be founded except in labors which promote the happiness of mankind.
Nothing from man’s hands, nor law, nor constitution, can be final. Truth alone is final.
The true grandeur of humanity is in moral elevation, sustained, enlightened and decorated by the intellect of man.
Nothing from man's hands, no law, nor constitution, can be final. Truth alone is final.
Give me the money that has been spent in war and I will clothe every man, woman, and child in an attire of which kings and queens will be proud. I will build a schoolhouse in every valley over the whole earth. I will crown every hillside with a place of worship consecrated to peace.
War crushes with bloody heel all justice, all happiness, all that is Godlike in man. In our age there can be no peace that is not honorable; there can be no war that is not dishonorable.
The true greatness of nations is in those qualities which constitute the greatness of the individual.
The slave power dares anything, and it can be conquered only by the united masses of the people. From Congress to the people, I appeal.
Without knowledge there can be no sure progress. Vice and barbarism are the inseparable companions of ignorance. Nor is it too much to say that, except in rare instances, the highest virtue is attained only through intelligence.
