Charles Sumner: “It would be vain to confer a right or a power, if the means for its…”

On the record

It would be vain to confer a right or a power, if the means for its enjoyment were denied.

Said by

Massachusetts

Source

He argues that granting rights without the means to exercise them is futile, highlighting the importance of practical support.

More from Charles Sumner

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

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

Early testimony of the Church against, I. 59.

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

Other voices in this conversation

Charles Sumner: “It would be vain to confer a right or a power, if the means for its enjoyment were denied.”