Charles Sumner: “It leaves the letter in the Constitution, but it takes away the powers…”

On the record

It leaves the letter in the Constitution, but it takes away the powers by which that letter is made a living soul.

Said by

Massachusetts

Source

He critiques a legislative action for stripping the Constitution of its meaningful power despite its textual presence.

More from Charles Sumner

Women’s National League, petition of, for universal emancipation, X. 300.

Disunion no remedy for grievances of, VII. 33.

Slave Power, necessity of political action against the, II. 207.

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

Other voices in this conversation

Charles Sumner: “It leaves the letter in the Constitution, but it takes away the powers by which that letter is made a living soul.”