Political Quotes

On the record
Admitting, for the moment, that Congress is intrusted with power over this subject, which truth disowns, still the Act is again radically unconstitutional from its denial of Trial by Jury in a question of Personal Liberty and a suit at Common Law.
Said by
Charles Sumner
Massachusetts

Editor's note · Context

Sumner argues against the constitutionality of an act that denies trial by jury in matters of personal liberty.

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According to recent calculations, its annual cost is not less than a thousand millions of dollars.

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It is a cause which, though long kept in check throughout our country, as also in Europe, now confronts the people and their rulers, demanding to be heard.

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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.

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