Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 17 (of 20)

The prolongation of the bond is in the nature of compensation for the reduction of interest. Already we have established the ratio of compensation for such reduction,--already f...

The whole issue of the compound-interest legal-tender notes amounted to upward of two hundred and seventeen millions.[216] These were funded at or before maturity, except some f...

Then, again, the Senator says, if this is already forbidden, why repeat the prohibition in the form of a new condition? Why, Sir, my friend is too well read in the history of Li...

I think, therefore, the suggestion of my colleague, that this matter be postponed for several days, is proper; it is only according to the ordinary course of business of the Sen...

What, then, is left for us to do? What but to lessen our liabilities?--which, as the laws now stand, must remain the same to-morrow as to-day, and one, two, or five years hence...

I have made these remarks with hesitation, but in order to prepare the way for the bill which I have introduced. It was my duty to show why the propositions of the Secretary wer...

Among the claimants of the present day there are doubtless many of character and virtue. It is hard to vote against them. But I cannot be controlled on this occasion by my sympa...

The provisions of the treaty are for the trial of these cases. A commission is constituted, which is empowered to choose an arbitrator; but, in the event of a failure to agree,...

The sacrifice of precious life is beyond human compensation; but there may be an approximate estimate of the national loss in treasure. Everybody can make the calculation. I con...

Of Quaker extraction, Greene was originally a Quaker. The Quaker became a soldier and commander of armies. Such was the requirement of the epoch. Should a soldier and commander...

The brilliant Frenchman, Montesquieu, in that remarkable work which occupied so much attention during the last century, “The Spirit of Laws,” pronounces _Honor_ the animating se...

Here is an austere statement; but it was adopted by Mr. Jefferson as a fundamental principle in his elaborate letter to the British Minister, vindicating the confiscation of the...

To the unquestionable capacity of the African must be added simplicity, amenity, good-nature, generosity, fidelity. Mahometans, who know him well, recognize his superior fidelit...

Such is the case as presented by the champions. But looking at the National Constitution, we shall be astonished still more at this pretension. On other occasions I have gone ov...

This scene, so brilliant in character, illustrates Mr. Fessenden’s long career in the Senate. All present were moved, while those at a distance were less affected. His speech, w...

There are two circumstances by which the whole case is aggravated. One is found in the date of the Proclamation which lifted the Rebels to an equality with the National Governme...

We are told that “a little learning is a dangerous thing.” If this be ever true, it cannot be better illustrated than by that sciolism which from the varieties of the human spec...

Had Mr. Bingham or Mr. Blaine, who made a kindred effort in the House, been of our committee, and then of our caucus, I do not doubt they would have done the same thing. My coll...

Whereas the inland postage on a letter throughout the United States is three cents, while the ocean postage on a similar letter to Great Britain, under a recent convention, is t...

To that security one thing is needed,--simply this: All men must be safe in their rights, so that affairs, whether of government or business, shall have a free and natural cours...

Change now the scene,--from ancient India, and the shadow of unknown centuries, to our Republic, born on yesterday. How unlike in venerable antiquity! How like in the pretension...

“I agree with you that Nature has decided that _Canada and the United States must become one_ for all purposes of intercommunication. Whether they also shall be united in the sa...

“On another occasion, during the same period, the case of Tennessee was discussed. I expressed the hope most earnestly that the President would use his influence directly for th...

Mr. Wilson’s motion for a reference of the bill having been withdrawn, the Senate proceeded to vote on the various amendments offered. Mr. Edmunds’s Proviso was carried by Yeas...

[210] Statement of the Public Debt, January 1, 1870.--Purchases of bonds in excess of the sum required for the sinking fund first appear in the Statement of August 1, 1869, and...