Of course you have duties as men, belonging to the great human family; you have duties also as American citizens, belonging to this National Republic; and you have duties especially as citizens of Massachusetts, not inconsistent with those other duties, but merely cumulative and confirmatory.
Sumner emphasizes the multiple layers of civic duty that individuals hold, from global to local responsibilities.
Share
More from Charles Sumner
The devices of party can no longer stave it off.
They who strive after it, Ixion-like, embrace a cloud.
The most distant are not without a present influence on our daily lives.
Without yielding to any of these extreme views with regard to the mischiefs or the benefits of party, all should agree that the only true and legitimate object of such an association is to uphold, advance, and develop certain principles…
Other voices in this conversation
