In early colonial days, the law against witchcraft, now so abhorrent to reason and conscience, was regarded as constitutional and binding,--precisely as the Fugitive Slave Act, not less abhorrent to reason and conscience, is regarded as constitutional and binding.
Sumner draws a parallel between historical injustices, like witchcraft laws and the Fugitive Slave Act, to illustrate the fallibility of legal systems.
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Let loyalty to one man be exchanged for Love to Man.
The devices of party can no longer stave it off.
Nay, more,--if it would be criminal in these several clusters of States to reëstablish the Institution of War as Arbiter of Justice, then is it criminal in the Commonwealth of Nations to continue it.
Again I repeat, so long as the War System prevails under the sanction of International Law, these painful incongruities will be apparent.
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