International Law on this head is like the Constitution of the United States, which declares, “New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union.” Not must, but may,--it being in the discretion of Congress to determine whether the State shall be admitted.
Sumner draws a parallel between International Law and the U.S. Constitution regarding the admission of new states, emphasizing discretion.
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At Baltimore the delegation of the most important State in the Union, known to be in favor of the Wilmot Proviso, was refused admission to the Convention.
This will be the FREEDOM POWER, whose single object will be to resist the SLAVE POWER.
More precious far at that moment the consolation that he had labored for his fellow-men, and the joyous confidence that all his cares had helped the Progress of his race!
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.
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