It is idle to suppose that recent rebels, restored to privileges of citizenship, will vote cordially for the national debt incurred in the suppression of their rebellion, or that they will willingly tax themselves for interest on the enormous outlays by which their darling Slavery has been overthrown.
Sumner expresses skepticism about recent rebels supporting the national debt incurred during the Civil War.
Share
More from Charles Sumner
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.
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.
Nor should we be too impatient to witness the fulfilment of our aspirations.
Other voices in this conversation
