He swore, but on his conscience was a soulless text.
Editor's note · Context
In this quote, Sumner critiques a senator's oath as lacking moral depth, emphasizing the importance of conscience in such commitments.
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Tendencies of nations, as revealed in history, teach that our aims are in harmony with prevailing laws, which God, in his benevolence, has ordained for mankind.
It is larger than the entire profit of all the commerce and manufactures of the world.
Without yielding to any of these extreme views with regard to the mischiefs or the benefits of party, all should agree that the only true and legitimate object of such an association is to uphold, advance, and develop certain principles…
As the Brotherhood of Man is practically recognized, it becomes impossible to restrict the feeling within any exclusive circle of country, and to set up an unchristian distinction of honor between civil war and international war.





