Thus far government has been at best an Art, like alchemy or astrology, where ministers exercised a subtle power, or speculators tried imaginative experiments, seeking some philosopher’s-stone at the expense of the people.
Sumner critiques the historical nature of government as an art form, likening it to alchemy and astrology.
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Tendencies of nations, as revealed in history, teach that our aims are in harmony with prevailing laws, which God, in his benevolence, has ordained for mankind.
It applies an arrogant and unrelenting ostracism to all who express themselves against Slavery.
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.
They belong to a system so essentially irrational, that all the admitted virtues of many of its agents cannot save it from judgment.
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