Political Quotes

On the record
Whatever may be the eminence of individual virtue,--and I would not so far disparage humanity as to suppose that offences so general where Slavery exists are universal,--it is not reasonable or logical to infer that the body of Slave-Masters are better than the Law of Slavery.
Said by
Charles Sumner
Massachusetts

Editor's note · Context

Sumner critiques the notion that individual virtue can outweigh the systemic evils of slavery.

Share

More from Charles Sumner

I am in favor of a tariff for revenue, such a one as will yield a sufficient amount to the treasury to defray the expenses of the government, economically administered.

gutenberg.org

Still further: every ship-of-war that floats costs more than a well-endowed college.

gutenberg.org

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…

gutenberg.org

According to recent calculations, its annual cost is not less than a thousand millions of dollars.

gutenberg.org

Other voices in this conversation