Charles Sumner, American lawyer and politician (b. 1811)

The Unyielding Statesman: Charles Sumner's Legacy in American History

Charles Sumner (January 6, 1811 – March 11, 1874) was a towering figure in 19th-century American politics, a distinguished lawyer, and an impassioned orator who served as a United States Senator from Massachusetts. His career was fundamentally defined by an unwavering commitment to anti-slavery principles, positioning him as a leading voice against the institution and later, as a powerful force within the Radical Republican faction during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era. Sumner's steadfast moral compass and formidable intellect made him a central, albeit often controversial, statesman.

From Academic Lawyer to Anti-Slavery Champion

Born in 1811, Sumner began his professional life as an academic lawyer, a foundation that honed his skills as a debater and provided the intellectual rigor characteristic of his political career. His journey into national politics was intrinsically tied to the burgeoning anti-slavery movement of the 1830s and 1840s. As the landscape of American political parties shifted and realigned around the issue of slavery, Sumner found himself moving between various anti-slavery coalitions. This dynamic period saw him ultimately coalesce with the nascent Republican Party in the 1850s, the affiliation with which he would become most prominently known. Within this new political home, Sumner devoted his immense energies to confronting what Republicans vehemently termed the "Slave Power"—a phrase encapsulating the undue influence Southern slave owners wielded over the federal government, driven by their relentless pursuit to preserve and expand slavery into new territories.

The Caning of Sumner: A Symbol of National Division

Sumner's fierce advocacy for the anti-slavery cause was not without personal peril. On May 22, 1856, the U.S. Senate chamber, typically a bastion of decorum, became the scene of a brutal assault that shocked the nation and further fueled the fires of sectionalism. Just days prior, Sumner had delivered his impassioned, fiery speech, "The Crime Against Kansas." In this address, he not only condemned the pro-slavery violence in Kansas but also launched deeply personal attacks, notably against South Carolina Senator Andrew Butler. Sumner characterized Butler as a "pimp for slavery" and, adding insult to injury, mocked Butler's physical ailments, including a stroke and a subsequent speech impediment. The speech was designed to degrade Butler's morality, intelligence, and patriotism in the public eye. In retaliation for these perceived slights against his relative and the state of South Carolina, Democratic Congressman Preston Brooks, a first cousin once removed of Butler, entered the Senate chamber and beat Sumner nearly to death with a cane. This widely reported episode left Sumner severely injured, requiring several years for his recovery before he could return to his Senate duties. Massachusetts, in an act of profound defiance and solidarity, not only refused to replace him but re-elected him, leaving his empty desk in the Senate as a stark, silent reminder of the incident. This violent act, a visceral manifestation of the deep-seated divisions plaguing the nation, significantly contributed to the escalating polarization that ultimately led to the Civil War, symbolizing the increasingly vitriolic and violent socio-political atmosphere of the time.

A Radical Voice During War and Reconstruction

During the American Civil War, Charles Sumner emerged as a leading figure of the Radical Republican faction. This powerful group often found itself at odds with President Abraham Lincoln, whom they viewed as too moderate in his approach to the South and the issue of slavery. Sumner, leveraging his expertise in foreign affairs, worked closely with Lincoln to skillfully navigate international diplomacy, ensuring that powerful European nations like Britain and France refrained from intervening on the side of the Confederacy—a critical factor in securing Union victory. Following the war, as the chief Radical leader in the Senate during the tumultuous Reconstruction era, Sumner tirelessly championed the rights of the newly freed African Americans. He fought vehemently to guarantee them equal civil and voting rights, asserting that "consent of the governed" was a foundational principle of American republicanism. Simultaneously, he sought to block ex-Confederates from regaining political power, fearing they would dismantle the hard-won gains derived from the Union's victory. Teaming with House leader Thaddeus Stevens, Sumner fiercely battled President Andrew Johnson's more lenient Reconstruction plans, advocating instead for the imposition of a robust Radical Republican program on the defeated Southern states.

The Uncompromising Idealist: Conflict with Grant and Final Years

Sumner's principled stances extended to foreign policy, where he forcefully advocated for the annexation of Alaska. However, he was vehemently against the annexation of the Dominican Republic, then known by its capital, Santo Domingo. This position put him on a collision course with President Ulysses S. Grant, a fellow Republican, who strongly favored the annexation. In 1870, Sumner successfully led a senatorial effort to defeat Grant's Santo Domingo Treaty, igniting a bitter feud between the two powerful figures. Sumner denounced Grant in such uncompromising terms that reconciliation became impossible. In retaliation, in 1871, President Grant and his Secretary of State Hamilton Fish, using Grant's supporters in the Senate, orchestrated Sumner's removal as head of the prestigious Foreign Relations Committee. Convinced that Grant had become a corrupt despot and that the success of Reconstruction policies demanded new national leadership, Sumner bitterly opposed Grant's re-election in 1872, instead throwing his support behind the Liberal Republican candidate Horace Greeley. This defiance ultimately cost him significant power within the Republican Party. Less than two years later, Charles Sumner died in office, having dedicated his life to an uncompromising vision of justice and equality.

Legacy and Enduring Impact

Charles Sumner was a figure of considerable controversy in his own time, known for an often-inflexible idealism that some viewed as arrogance. Even David Herbert Donald's 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning biography described him as an "arrogant egoist," highlighting his perceived ineffectiveness as a political leader in contrast to more pragmatic colleagues like Henry Wilson. Yet, despite contemporary criticisms and his uncompromising nature, Sumner's historical memory has largely been positive. Biographer Donald, among others, notes his extensive and crucial contributions to anti-racism during the Reconstruction era. His unwavering commitment to human rights and civil liberties, particularly for African Americans, solidified his place as a pivotal figure in American history. Numerous places across the United States bear his name, a testament to his lasting impact and recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions About Charles Sumner

Who was Charles Sumner?
Charles Sumner was a prominent American statesman, an academic lawyer, and a United States Senator from Massachusetts during the 19th century. He was a leading figure in the anti-slavery movement and a key leader of the Radical Republicans during the Civil War and Reconstruction.
When did Charles Sumner live?
He was born on January 6, 1811, and died on March 11, 1874.
What was Charles Sumner famous for?
Sumner is most famous for his impassioned anti-slavery advocacy, his leadership among the Radical Republicans, and for being brutally caned on the Senate floor by Congressman Preston Brooks in 1856 after delivering a controversial anti-slavery speech. He was also a staunch advocate for equal rights for freedmen during Reconstruction.
What was the "Crime Against Kansas" speech?
This was a fiery anti-slavery speech delivered by Senator Sumner in May 1856, condemning pro-slavery violence in Kansas and personally insulting several Southern senators, most notably Andrew Butler of South Carolina. It directly led to Sumner's caning by Preston Brooks.
What was Charles Sumner's role during the Civil War?
As a Radical Republican, Sumner criticized President Lincoln for perceived moderation and played a crucial role in foreign affairs, working to prevent British and French intervention on behalf of the Confederacy.
What was Charles Sumner's role during Reconstruction?
He was a chief Radical leader in the Senate, fighting vigorously for equal civil and voting rights for freedmen and working to prevent ex-Confederates from regaining political power. He opposed President Andrew Johnson's Reconstruction plans.
Why did Sumner fall out with President Ulysses S. Grant?
Sumner strongly opposed President Grant's plan to annex Santo Domingo (the Dominican Republic). After Sumner successfully led the Senate to defeat Grant's Santo Domingo Treaty in 1870, a bitter dispute erupted, leading to Sumner's removal from his position as head of the Foreign Relations Committee and his subsequent opposition to Grant's re-election.