Charles Sumner: “If you hesitate for want of precedent, then do I appeal to the great…”

On the record

If you hesitate for want of precedent, then do I appeal to the great principle of American Institutions.

Said by

Massachusetts

Source

Sumner emphasizes the importance of adhering to foundational American principles in decision-making.

More from Charles Sumner

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

Consent of the governed necessary in forming new governments of, XII. 298.

His loyalty to the Declaration of Independence, XIX. 317.

The only Constitutional party and party of freedom, VII. 38.

Other voices in this conversation

Charles Sumner: “If you hesitate for want of precedent, then do I appeal to the great principle of American Institutions.”