Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 11 (of 20)

by Charles Sumner

"Charles Sumner: His Complete Works, Volume 11 (of 20)" by Charles Sumner is a historical collection written in the late 19th century. The volume features a series of speeches and reports that reflect Sumner's strong advocacy for equality, civil rights, and the abolition of slavery. These works encapsulate significant political debates and legislative matters from the era of the Civil War through Reconstruction, offering insight into the social and legal struggles faced in the United States during this tumultuous period. The opening of this volume introduces several key issues addressed by Sumner, particularly the exclusion of colored witnesses in judicial proceedings. He highlights the historical injustices that arise from discriminatory laws allowing states to deny people of color their rights as witnesses based on their race. Sumner's opening remarks present a thorough examination of various state statutes that enforced these exclusions, showing how such legal frameworks contributed to the systemic oppression of African Americans. He passionately argues for legislative changes to rectify these injustices, drawing comparisons to historical injustices and advocating for an equitable legal system.