Charles Sumner: “If we fight with Indians who slowly roast their prisoners, we cannot…”

On the record

If we fight with Indians who slowly roast their prisoners, we cannot roast in turn the Indians whom we may capture.

Said by

Massachusetts

Source

Sumner uses a vivid analogy to argue against retaliatory actions in war.

More from Charles Sumner

Consent of the governed necessary in forming new governments of, XII. 298.

Working-men of Europe, desire abolition of war, XVIII. 236.

Contrary to Christianity, but upheld by the Church, I. 54, 58.

Slavery and the: speech in New York, XI. 433.

Other voices in this conversation

Charles Sumner: “If we fight with Indians who slowly roast their prisoners, we cannot roast in turn the Indians whom we may capture.”