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Materials > Readings > The Sumner Caning > The Crime Against Kansas |
The Crime Against Kansas
Before entering upon the argument, I must say something a general character, particularly in response to what has fallen from Senators who have raised themselves to eminence on this floor in championship of human wrong: I mean the Senator from South Carolina [Mr. Butler] and the Senator from Illinois {Mr. Douglas], who, though unlike as Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, yet, like this couple, sally forth together in the same adventure. I regret much to miss the elder Senator from his seat; but the cause against which he run a tilt, with such ebullition of animosity, demands that the opportunity of exposing him should not be lost; and it is for teh cause that I speak. The Senator from South Carolina has read many books of chivalry, and believes himself a chivalrous knight, with sentiments of honor and courage. Of course he has chosen a mistress to whom he has made his vows, and who, though ugly to others, is always lovely to him,--though polluted int eh sight of the world, is chaste in his sight: I mean tht harlot Slavery. For her his tongue is always profuse in words. Let her be impeached in character, or any proposition be made to shut her out from the extention of her wantonness, and no extravagance of manner or hardihood of assertion is then too great from this Senator. The frenzy of Don Quixote in behalf of his wench Ducinea del Toboso is all surpassed.
Source: Charles Sumner, "The Crime Against Kansas."
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