Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 18 (of 20)

Step into the turbulent era of Reconstruction through the powerful oratory of a leading 19th‑century senator. This volume gathers a series of his Senate speeches and public remarks, capturing the heated debates that reshaped the nation after the Civil War. Listeners will hear the senator confront the lingering “states’ rights” rhetoric that once defended slavery, while championing the promises of liberty and equality.

The collection spans landmark moments: the admission of Mississippi and Georgia to Congress, the historic introduction of the first Black senator, and the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment. It also touches on pressing issues of the day—income tax, postal reform, and foreign policy concerns such as the Chinese indemnity fund and Arctic exploration. Each address reflects a blend of moral conviction and legislative detail, offering a vivid portrait of a lawmaker striving to align the Constitution with human rights.

Beyond politics, the speeches reveal the senator’s broader concerns about education, national unity, and the future of the Republican Party. For anyone interested in the foundations of modern civil‑rights discourse, these recordings provide an engaging, first‑hand glimpse into the arguments and ideals that shaped post‑war America.