Charles Sumner: “Necessity may excuse an action not in itself just, but it is without…”

On the record

Necessity may excuse an action not in itself just, but it is without the force to render it just; for justice is immutable.

Said by

Massachusetts

Source

Sumner argues that while necessity may excuse unjust actions, it cannot make them just.

More from Charles Sumner

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

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

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

Early testimony of the Church against, I. 59.

Other voices in this conversation

Charles Sumner: “Necessity may excuse an action not in itself just, but it is without the force to render it just; for justice is…”