Political Quotes

Charles Sumner: “We are accustomed, Sir, to praise the lawgivers of Antiquity; we help to perpetuate the fame of Solon and Lycurgus; but…”

On the record
We are accustomed, Sir, to praise the lawgivers of Antiquity; we help to perpetuate the fame of Solon and Lycurgus; but I doubt whether one single law of any lawgiver, ancient or modern, has produced effects of more distinct, marked, and lasting character than the Ordinance of 1787.
Said by
Charles Sumner
Massachusetts

Editor's note · Context

Sumner highlights the significant impact of the Ordinance of 1787 compared to ancient lawgivers.

Share

More from Charles Sumner

Working-men of Europe, desire abolition of war, XVIII. 236.

gutenberg.org

His loyalty to the Declaration of Independence, XIX. 317.

gutenberg.org

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

gutenberg.org

Other voices in this conversation