On the record
You are now to declare by your votes whether this constitution which tramples upon the principle of human equality is republican in form.
Source
gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
Sumner challenges the Senate to vote on whether a constitution that violates human equality can be republican.
Share
More from Charles Sumner
Their existence is a disgrace to civilization; for it implies the common consent of nations to the Arbitrament of War, as regulated by these laws.
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.
According to recent calculations, its annual cost is not less than a thousand millions of dollars.
Above all, welcome to the united regenerated Democracy of the North, which spurns the mockery of a Republic, with professions of Freedom on the lips, while the chains of Slavery clank in the Capitol!
Other voices in this conversation
