On the record
Without these the strongest text and most cunning in its requirements is only a phantom, it may be of terror, as was the case with the Fugitive Slave Bill,--but not a living letter.
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gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
Sumner warns that without public support, laws can become ineffective and merely symbolic.
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It is a cause which, though long kept in check throughout our country, as also in Europe, now confronts the people and their rulers, demanding to be heard.
Out of this pernicious prejudice have proceeded that persecution and neglect which are the too frequent lot of the world's pioneers.
Rather would I arouse you to renewed and incessant exertion.
According to recent calculations, its annual cost is not less than a thousand millions of dollars.
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