In the courts of law; in the temples with which all our ideas of justice, of right between man and man, are associated; where truth goes to be vindicated, where innocence flies to be avenged,--in these courts, an entire portion of the human race are known, not as men, but as chattels, as cattle.
Mann critiques the legal system for treating a segment of humanity as property rather than as individuals.
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Why, fellow-citizens, the ballot is worse than useless, if it be not FREE!
Better be debarred from the privilege of voting at all, than to be mocked with the form, while cheated of the substance.
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…
My instincts, reason, judgment, conscience, may all mislead; but from the first time, now years ago, when I heard this subject broached, my instincts, reason, judgment, conscience, have all been in its favor.
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