Political Quotes

On the record
Announcing that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, the Declaration repeats the same proclamation of Equal Rights.
Said by
Charles Sumner
Massachusetts

Editor's note · Context

Sumner highlights the principle that legitimate government authority comes from the consent of the people, as stated in the Declaration of Independence.

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Endeavor, for a moment, by comparison with other interests, to grapple with this sum.

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It is larger than the entire profit of all the commerce and manufactures of the world.

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Nay, more,--if it would be criminal in these several clusters of States to reëstablish the Institution of War as Arbiter of Justice, then is it criminal in the Commonwealth of Nations to continue it.

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It is clear that the only question of present practical interest arises from the usurpations of the Slave Power and the efforts to extend Slavery.

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