Political Quotes

On the record
Such an elaborate evasion may be effectual against a Parliamentary statute, but it must be impotent against a demand upon the British Government, according to the principles of International Law; for this law looks always at substance, and not form, and will not be diverted by the trick of a pettifogger.
Said by
Charles Sumner
Massachusetts

Editor's note · Context

Sumner argues that legal principles should focus on the substance of actions rather than the technicalities of law.

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