Every loan at that time was a contract of bottomry on the Nation,--like money lent to a ship in a strange port, and conditioned on its arrival safe at home,--so that it failed entirely, if Slavery, by the aid of Foreign Powers, established its supremacy.
Sumner uses a metaphor comparing national loans to maritime contracts, highlighting the risks involved with slavery's influence.
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Without yielding to any of these extreme views with regard to the mischiefs or the benefits of party, all should agree that the only true and legitimate object of such an association is to uphold, advance, and develop certain principles…
As the Brotherhood of Man is practically recognized, it becomes impossible to restrict the feeling within any exclusive circle of country, and to set up an unchristian distinction of honor between civil war and international war.
I agree with the Convention in the importance of the new organization; nor do I think there are many candid persons, recognizing morals as the soul of all true politics, who will hesitate in this conclusion.
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.
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