Confined to the States, where it is left by the Constitution, it will take its place as a local institution,--if, alas! continue it must,--for which we are in no sense responsible, and against which we cannot exert any political power.
Sumner discusses the constitutional limits of slavery, emphasizing local responsibility.
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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.
In this contest, we may borrow from the ancient Greek, who, when his hands were cut off, fought with his stumps, and even with his teeth.
Their existence is a disgrace to civilization; for it implies the common consent of nations to the Arbitrament of War, as regulated by these laws.
It is larger than the entire profit of all the commerce and manufactures of the world.
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