On the record
From the beginning I have protested against Reconstruction by military power.
Source
gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
Sumner expresses his long-standing opposition to the use of military power in the Reconstruction process.
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It applies an arrogant and unrelenting ostracism to all who express themselves against Slavery.
It is larger than the entire profit of all the commerce and manufactures of the world.
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.
They belong to a system so essentially irrational, that all the admitted virtues of many of its agents cannot save it from judgment.
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