Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-02-22
THE LANDMARK OF FREEDOM.
SPEECH
OF
HON. CHARLES SUMNER

MN. SAhhLEp DUN IN EN-
AGAINST THE REPEAL
or THE ~
PROHIBITION OF SLAVERY NORTH OF THIR-
W-sIX 'DEdREES THIRTY MINUTES.
In Senate, February 81. 1854.
coNoLUDED.l
ii. Mr.. President, il is not only as an in
fraction Of solemn compact, embodied in
ancient law, that arraign this bill. ar
raign il also as fragrant and extravagant
departure from the original policy Of our
fathers, consecrated by their lives, opin-
ions, and acts. ", Fas
And here, sir, bear with me in brief
recital ofunqnestioncd facts. AT the period
OF the Declaration ofIndependence, there
was upwards Of half million colored
persons in Slavery throughout the United
Colonies. These unhappy people, were
originally stolen from Africa, or were the
children OF those who had been stolen,
and though distributed throughout the
whole country, were 70 be found in
largest number in the Southern States.
But the spirit Of Freedom then prevailed
in the land. The fathers Of the Republic,
leaders in the war Of Independence, were
struck with the inconsistency Of an appeal
for their own liberties, while holding in
bondage their felow-men, only guilty Of
skin not colored like their own The
same conviction animated the hearts of the
people, whether at the North or South.
AT town meeting, at Danbury, Comec-
ticut, held on the 18th December TITS,
the following declaration was made
II, is with singular pleasure we note the
second article Of the Association, in which il is
agreed TO import no more negro slaves, as we
cannot but think il palpable absurdity so
loudly to complain Of attempts TO ensaye as
while we are actually enslaving others -.4na
Archives, An Series, Vol. !, p. 1893.
The South responded in similar strains.
AT meeting in Darien, Georgia, III ITS,
the following important resolution was put
forth:
81 To show the world that we are not inllu-
enced by any contracted or Interested motives,
but BY general philanthropy for all mankind,
of whatever climate, language, or complexion,
zoe hereby declare oar Interpretation and abhor-
renee Of the unnatural practice Of SlaUesy-
(however the uncultivated state Of the country
or other specious arguments may plead for IL ~
practice founded IN injustice and cruelty, and
highly dangerous to our liberties as iUeH as hoes,
debasing part Of our tello,s creatures belo,c men.
and oorrupting the Dirtie and morals Of the rest,
and LAYING the basis Of that liberty we contend
for, and which we pray the Almighty to con-
tinue TO the latest posterity, upon very wrong
foundation. We therefore resolve at all times
to use our utmost e,.deGuoss for the nsanumission
Of our slaves in this Colony, upon the most
safe and equitable footing for the masters and
themselves .n-.am. .4rctapes, 4th Series, Tol. l,
p. 1885.
The soul Of Virginia, during this period
found also feryid utterance through JEFF
ferson, who, by precocious and immor-
tai words, has enrolled himself among
the earliest Abolitionists Of the country.
In his address to the Virginia Convention
Of 1774, he openly avowed, while yindi-
eating the rights Of British America, that
s'the abolition Of domestic slavery is the
greatest object Of desire in these Colonies,
where ii was uahappily introduced an their
infant state" And then again, in the Dec
laration of independence, he embodied
sentiments, which, when practically APP
Piled, will give Freedom to every Slave
throughout the land. eve hold these
truths to be self-eyident," says our coun-
try, speaking by the voice Of Jefferson,
''that all men are created equal-that they
are endowed with certain inalienable
rights--that among these are life, liberty,
and the pursuit Of happiness" And again,
in the Congress of the Confederation, he
brought forward, as early as 1884, reso-
luton TO exclude Slavery from all the Ter
ritory "ceded or to be coded" by the States
Of the Federal Government, including the
whole territory now covered by Tonnes
see, Mississippi, and Alabama. Lost at
first by single vote only; this measure, in
more restricted form, was renewed at a
subsequent day, by an honored son Of
Massachusetts, and in 1887 was finally
confirmed in the Ordinance Of the north
western territory, by unanimous vote Of
the States.
Thus early and distinctly do we discern
the Ant-Slavery character Of the found
ers Of our Republic, and their determine
ton TO place the National Government,
within the sphere of its jurisdiction,
openly, actively, aud perpetually on the
side Of Freedom.
The National Constitution was adopted
in l7SS. And here we discern the same
spirit. The emphatic words of the Dec
laration Of Independence, which our coun-
try took upon its lips as baptismal VOWS,
when il claimed its place among the ma
tons Of the earth, were not forgotten.
The nreamhle tn the Constitution renews
them, when il declares its object to be,
among other things, ITO establish justice,
to promote the general welfare, aud to Sc
cure the blessings Of liberty to ourselves
and posterity." Thus, according to un-
deniable words, the Constitution was or
dained, not to establish, secure, or sane
ton Slavery--not to promote the special