Are you especially against the extension of Slavery BY FORCE? If yea, then vote for Fremont.
Are you against the erection of the Slave Oligarchy as the dominant power in our Republic? If yea, then vote for Fremont.
Are you against the violation of the constitutional rights of American citizens? If yea, then vote for Fremont.
Audacious sophistry, often exposed, but still flaunting abroad, may seek to deceive you. It may foam with abuse and bristle with perversion of fact; but it cannot obscure the unquestionable truth, which now stares everybody in the face, that a vote for Buchanan is a vote for all these bad things. It is a vote not simply for the extension of Slavery, but also for the extension of Slavery BY FORCE, involving, besides, the erection of the Slave Oligarchy as the dominant power in our Republic, and the violation of the constitutional rights of American citizens. Surely, Illinois will not be led to sanction such enormities. Hers will be the path of Liberty, which is, of course, the path of true patriotism. Through her agency incalculable harm has already come to the Republic; but I cannot forget that she has begun a glorious reparation, by introducing to the National Councils a Senator of rare skill in debate, of sweetest purity of character, and of perfect loyalty to those principles by which Liberty will be secured, and our good name extended in history. I refer to Mr. Trumbull, who now belongs to the whole country, which is justly grateful for his eminent services. With his example before her, Illinois cannot wander again into the support of Slavery.
Give to the Republicans of Illinois my hearty God-speed, and let my absence speak to them.
Ever faithfully yours,
Charles Sumner.
To Hon. J. O. Norton.