Such a Reconstruction would have been founded on principles to defy the criticism of history.
Editor's note · Context
Sumner argues that a well-founded Reconstruction would withstand historical scrutiny.
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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.
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!
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.
This will be the FREEDOM POWER, whose single object will be to resist the SLAVE POWER.





