A courtier said to Philip the Second of Spain, “Your golden ducats carry your name and your features over all the countries of Europe, exciting envy and dread.” The time for envy and dread has passed; but our eagles are not idle.
Sumner reflects on the historical significance of coinage and its representation of national power.
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As the Brotherhood of Man is practically recognized, it becomes impossible to restrict the feeling within any exclusive circle of country, and to set up an unchristian distinction of honor between civil war and international war.
Nor should we be too impatient to witness the fulfilment of our aspirations.
Again I repeat, so long as the War System prevails under the sanction of International Law, these painful incongruities will be apparent.
Let us at all hazards prevent the extension of Slavery and the increase of the Slave Power.
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