On the record
But the very idea of a human being necessarily excludes the idea of property in that being, just as the very idea of a thing necessarily excludes the idea of a human being.
Source
gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
Sumner argues that the concept of humanity inherently rejects the notion of owning another person as property.
Share
More from Charles Sumner
Out of this pernicious prejudice have proceeded that persecution and neglect which are the too frequent lot of the world's pioneers.
They who strive after it, Ixion-like, embrace a cloud.
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.
Again I repeat, so long as the War System prevails under the sanction of International Law, these painful incongruities will be apparent.
Other voices in this conversation
