No people, for the sake of any seeming temporary expediency, can afford to sacrifice a principle of justice or a sentiment of humanity, and thus to peril the everlasting verdict of History.
On the record
Source
gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
Sumner argues that sacrificing principles of justice for temporary expediency endangers historical judgment.
Share
More from Charles Sumner
They belong to a system so essentially irrational, that all the admitted virtues of many of its agents cannot save it from judgment.
Men are erring and mortal; principles are steadfast and immortal.
I am in favor of a tariff for revenue, such a one as will yield a sufficient amount to the treasury to defray the expenses of the government, economically administered.
Without yielding to any of these extreme views with regard to the mischiefs or the benefits of party, all should agree that the only true and legitimate object of such an association is to uphold, advance, and develop certain principles…





