Charles Sumner: “It may have the form of legislation, but it lacks every essential…”

On the record

It may have the form of legislation, but it lacks every essential element of law.

Said by

Massachusetts

Source

He asserts that the Fugitive Slave Act, despite its legislative appearance, fails to meet the criteria of lawful legislation.

More from Charles Sumner

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

Opening of United States courts to colored, XI. 389.

The only Constitutional party and party of freedom, VII. 38.

Slavery and the: speech in New York, XI. 433.

Other voices in this conversation

Charles Sumner: “It may have the form of legislation, but it lacks every essential element of law.”