Disunion Feed

America has argued itself to the edge before. The words come from 1854–1861; the arguments are the ones we are still having.

Peleg W. Chandler @PelegChandlerMay 24, 1856 · Faneuil Hall, Boston · original ↗

Every drop of blood shed in this disgraceful affair has raised up ten thousand armed men. That blood now stains the Senate floor, and not all the water of the Potomac can wash it out. They may cry, with the tragic queen, 'Out, damned spot!' — but no water can ever efface it.

Next post: Ralph Waldo Emerson, May 26, 1856 →

The post above is condensed. From the original, word for word
"Every drop of blood shed by him in this disgraceful affair has raised up ten thousand armed men. [...] that blood now stains the Senate floor; and let me tell you, that not all the water of the Potomac can wash it out. They may cry, with the great tragic queen, "Out, damned spot!" but no water of this world can ever efface it."

Between the posts · the narrator, not the paper

Two days out, the same event is two stories. In Boston tonight, an indignation meeting fills Faneuil Hall. In Columbia, a public meeting votes Brooks a new cane. Each side reprints the other's editorials as evidence.

A self-described political opponent of Sumner ('For more than one half that period I have been his political opponent') converted by the bludgeon — the hostile-witness register that made the Faneuil Hall meeting land. Text from the authorized Works appendix; no contemporary standalone pamphlet found openly digitized. Fragments joined with [...].

Next post: Ralph Waldo Emerson, May 26, 1856 →

Next in order

Ralph Waldo Emerson @RWEmerson · Concord, Mass.

The events of the last few years and months and days have taught us the lessons of centuries. I do not see how a barbarous community and a civilized community can constitute one state. I think we must get rid of slavery, or we must get rid of freedom.

Original passage & context
"The events of the last few years and months and days have taught us the lessons of centuries. I do not see how a barbarous community and a civilized community can constitute one state. I think we must get rid of slavery, or we must get rid of freedom."

Four days after the caning, at Concord's indignation meeting — the intellectual North's verdict, and one of the most-quoted Northern reactions of the decade.

Where this sits

Post 8 of 19 from the caning of Charles Sumner, May 19, 1856 – Jul 14, 1856 — each post linked to its primary source.

Part of 134 verified passages across 5 flashpoints, Jan 6, 1854 – Apr 13, 1861 — read the feed from the start.

How this was made