Political Quotes

On the record
Throughout the Revolution this pretension was a check upon the powers of Congress, whether in respect to armies or finances, so that it was too often constrained to content itself with the language of advice or persuasion rather than of command.
Said by
Charles Sumner
Massachusetts

Editor's note · Context

Sumner reflects on how the pretension of State Rights hindered Congress during the Revolution.

Share

More from Charles Sumner

Let loyalty to one man be exchanged for Love to Man.

gutenberg.org

Again I repeat, so long as the War System prevails under the sanction of International Law, these painful incongruities will be apparent.

gutenberg.org

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…

gutenberg.org

Tendencies of nations, as revealed in history, teach that our aims are in harmony with prevailing laws, which God, in his benevolence, has ordained for mankind.

gutenberg.org

Other voices in this conversation