Slavery is an infraction of the immutable Law of Nature, and as such cannot be considered a natural incident to any sovereignty, especially in a country which has solemnly declared, in its Declaration of Independence, the unalienable right of all men to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Sumner argues that slavery contradicts the fundamental principles of human rights as outlined in the Declaration of Independence.
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I agree with the Convention in the importance of the new organization; nor do I think there are many candid persons, recognizing morals as the soul of all true politics, who will hesitate in this conclusion.
Nor should we be too impatient to witness the fulfilment of our aspirations.
According to recent calculations, its annual cost is not less than a thousand millions of dollars.
Endeavor, for a moment, by comparison with other interests, to grapple with this sum.
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