On the record
A constitution prescribes to the legislature what it shall do, and what it shall not do; it commands, prohibits, and binds men by oaths to support itself.
Source
gutenberg.orgHorace Mann: “A constitution prescribes to the legislature what it shall do, and what it shall not do; it commands, prohibits, and…”
Editor's note · Context
Mann emphasizes the authoritative role of a constitution in guiding legislative actions.
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The kidnapper, Alberti, now lies in a Pennsylvania prison for carrying away a mother and her child; but the mother and the child are now groaning under the lash of a southern taskmaster.
But such largesses to slavery as kings could not afford to give, and the robbery of an entire race of all its rights,--yes, and with authority, too, to make us help commit the robbery,--these are “factitious and imaginary” causes of…
Why, fellow-citizens, the ballot is worse than useless, if it be not FREE!
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