American Minute - Mar. 11 - Charles Sumner & Anti-Slavery Movement

American Minute
with
Bill Federer

Ben Franklin was the first president of the first anti-slavery society in the United States.

Richard Bassett, a Signer of the Constitution, converted to Methodism, freed all his slaves and paid them as hired labor.

John Quincy Adams fought to end slavery by removing Congress' Gag Rule.

It was Senator Charles Sumner's vehement stand against slavery that resulted in Congressman Preston S. Brooks (D) of South Carolina violently beating Sumner on the head with a cane while he was seated at his desk on the floor of the U.S. Senate.

Charles Sumner died MARCH 11, 1874, having never fully recovered from those injuries.

A founder of the Republican Party, Charles Sumner served as a Senator from Massachusetts for 23 years.

He stated:

"Familiarity with that great story of redemption, when God raised up the slave-born Moses to deliver His chosen people from bondage, and with that sublimer story where our Saviour died a cruel death that all men, without distinction of race, might be saved, makes slavery impossible."

Charles Sumner continued:

"There is no reason for renouncing Christianity, or for surrendering to the false religions; nor do I doubt that Christianity will yet prevail over the earth as the waters cover the sea."

American Minute - Jun. 28 - Ben Franklin at the Constitutional Convention

American Minute
with Bill Federer

The Constitutional Convention was in a deadlock over how large and small states could be represented equally. Some delegates gave up and left.

Then, on JUNE 28, 1787, 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin spoke and shortly after, the U.S. Constitution became a reality.

As recorded by James Madison, Franklin stated:

"Groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights."

Franklin continued:

"In the beginning of the Contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for Divine protection.

Our prayers, Sir, were heard and they were graciously answered.

All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending Providence in our favor...

And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?"

Franklin concluded:

"We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that 'except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.'...

I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed...no better than the Builders of Babel."