On the record
Unhappily, the ban of color has become a certificate of Slavery, and a large portion of the human family, whose offence was a skin darkened by the hand of God, has been degraded to the condition of chattels.
Source
gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
Sumner condemns the racial discrimination that equates skin color with slavery, emphasizing the moral degradation it causes.
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Men are erring and mortal; principles are steadfast and immortal.
The first is a heavenly sentiment, from God: the other is a device of this world.
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.
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