On the record
It is easy for lawyers and politicians to find excuses according to their desires; but no fine-spun theory or technicality should be allowed to prevail against the commanding principle.
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gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
Sumner critiques the tendency of lawyers and politicians to manipulate legal principles for their own ends.
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Again I repeat, so long as the War System prevails under the sanction of International Law, these painful incongruities will be apparent.
It is true, doubtless, that there are various races of men; but there is but one great Human Family, in which Caucasian, Ethiopian, Chinese, and Indian are all brothers, children of one Father, and heirs to one happiness.
I am in favor of a tariff for revenue, such a one as will yield a sufficient amount to the treasury to defray the expenses of the government, economically administered.
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.
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