The law of the Creator, which invests every human being with an inalienable title to freedom, cannot be repealed by any interior law which asserts that man is property.

In this quote, Salmon P. Chase asserts that the fundamental right to freedom is bestowed upon every human being by the Creator and is inalienable—meaning it cannot be taken away or transferred. He argues that this divine law, which grants every person the right to live freely, supersedes any human-made laws that might attempt to define people as property. The phrase "cannot be repealed" emphasizes that no law, however powerful, can override the natural right to freedom granted by a higher moral or divine authority.

Chase's quote reflects his strong belief in human rights and the abolitionist cause. At the time, many states and legal systems in the U.S. allowed slavery, treating people as property rather than recognizing their humanity and freedom. Chase, a leading figure in the abolition movement and later Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, argues that such laws are fundamentally unjust and cannot stand in the face of higher moral principles.

The idea that freedom is a God-given right is central to the quote, with Chase stressing that no law asserting that a person is property can be valid if it contradicts the inherent dignity and autonomy of individuals. This concept is deeply tied to the abolition of slavery and the broader struggle for equality and justice during the 19th century. Chase’s position is a direct challenge to the legal and societal systems that upheld slavery, asserting that the right to freedom cannot be denied based on man-made laws.

Ultimately, this quote underscores the moral and legal argument that human beings cannot be owned or oppressed by others, as their freedom is a fundamental right granted by a higher power. Chase's words are a call to recognize the universality of human freedom and a reminder that laws which infringe upon this basic right are unjust and should be overturned. It is a powerful expression of the belief that freedom transcends any human authority or institution.