On the record
According to a well-known and capital principle of jurisprudence, stolen property cannot be sold, and the attempt to sell it, knowing the primary abstraction, is a crime.
Source
gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
Sumner states a legal principle that stolen property cannot be legitimately sold, reinforcing the immorality of slavery.
Share
More from Charles Sumner
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.
It is larger than the entire profit of all the commerce and manufactures of the world.
Rather would I arouse you to renewed and incessant exertion.
Men are erring and mortal; principles are steadfast and immortal.
Other voices in this conversation
