Backbone. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. ;) 1897-1906, 1905-10-01
Charles Sumner
The Great Anti-Slavery Leader Shows
Why Third Party is
Necessary.

Let me add one word in vindica-
tion of our position as third party
Against freedom both the old par
ties are now banded. Opposed to each
other in the contest of power, they
concur in opposing every effort for
the establishment of freedom under
the National Constitution. Divided as
parties, they are one as supporters
of slavery.
On this question we can have no
sympathy with either but must neces-
sarily be against both. They sustain
slavery in the District of Columbia;
we are against it. They sustain the
coastwise slave trade under the ma
tional flag; we abhor it. They sus-
tain the policy of silence on slavery
in the territories; we urge the voice
OF positive prohibition.
But there is one apology which is
in common to the supporters of both
the old parties, and which is often in
their mouths when pressed for their
inconsistent persistence in adhering to
these parties. 1t is dogmatically as
serted that there can be but two par
ties; that third party is impossible,
particularly in our country, and that,
to slavery, must be content in one of
the old parties. This assumption,
which is without any foundation in
reason, has been so often put forth
that it has acquired a certain curren-
cy and many who reason hastily, or
implicitly follow others, have adopted
it as the all-sufficient excuse for their
conduct. Confessing their own opposi-
ton to slavery, they yet yield to the
domination of party and become dumb.
All this is wrong morally, and, there
fore, must be wrong politically.
Now, at this present time in our
country, there exists deep, controll-
ing, conscientious feeling. against
slavery. You and I, sir, and all of us,
confess it. While recognizing the con-
stitutiOn, we desire to do everything
in our power to relieve ourselves of
responsibility for this terrible wrong.
We would vindicate the national gov
ernment which it has established from
all participation in this outrage. Both
of the old political parties, forgetful of
the sentiments of the fathers and of
the spirit of the constitution, not only
refuse to be in any degree the agents
or representatives of our convictions.
but expressly discourage and denounce
them. Thus baffled in their efforts
for utterance, these convictions natur-
ally seek expression in a new agency,
the party of freedom.
The rising public opinion against
slavery cannot now flow in the old
political channels. 1t is strangled,
clogged and damned back. But if not
through the old parties, then over the
old nartiaS this irrasistih1a c,1rront
shall find it's way.
And now, if here in Massachusetts,
there be any persons who, on grounds
of policy or conscience, feel impelled
to support slavery, let them go and
sink into the embrace of the old par
ties. There they belong.
But on the other hand, all who are
sincerely opposed to slavery-who de-
sire to act against it-who seek to
bear their testimony for freedom-who
long to carry into public affairs those
principles of morality and Christian
duty which are the rule of private life
let them come out from both the
old parties and join us. In our third
party, with the declared friends of
freedom, they will find a place in
harmony with their aspirations.
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