Political Quotes

On the record
The Constitution itself is only a human law; nor can it claim to speak in time of war, and within the sphere of war, more than any other human law.
Said by
Charles Sumner
Massachusetts

Editor's note · Context

Sumner argues that the Constitution is merely a human law and lacks authority in wartime.

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It is a cause which, though long kept in check throughout our country, as also in Europe, now confronts the people and their rulers, demanding to be heard.

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Endeavor, for a moment, by comparison with other interests, to grapple with this sum.

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Controlled by such a code, employing such representatives, sustained by such agencies, animated by such Furies, and producing such fruits of tears and bitterness, it must be open to question.

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

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