Charles Sumner: “Infinitely absurd and unnatural is the pretext that a man may reclaim…”

On the record

Infinitely absurd and unnatural is the pretext that a man may reclaim his stolen coat wherever he finds it, but cannot reclaim himself!

Said by

Massachusetts

Source

Sumner critiques the absurdity of allowing a person to reclaim stolen possessions but not their own freedom, highlighting the injustice of slavery.

More from Charles Sumner

Early testimony of the Church against, I. 59.

Opening of United States courts to colored, XI. 389.

Working-men of Europe, desire abolition of war, XVIII. 236.

Slavery and the: speech in New York, XI. 433.

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Charles Sumner: “Infinitely absurd and unnatural is the pretext that a man may reclaim his stolen coat wherever he finds it, but cannot…”