Both Uses

principle
in
The Hypocrisy of American Slavery
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Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us?†
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principles = basic rules or beliefs
Is it to be settled by the rules of logic and argumentation, as a matter beset with great difficulty, involving a doubtful application of the principle of justice, hard to understand?†

principle = basic rule or belief

Definitions:

(1) (principle)
a basic rule or belief
The exact meaning of principle can depend upon its context. For example:
- "our guiding principles" -- basic moral beliefs that guide decisions and behavior
- "electromagnetic principles" -- rules describing how the world works
- "She lacks principles." -- lacks moral guidelines
- "We agree in principle." -- about important basic beliefs
(2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)
See a comprehensive dictionary for more specialized senses including one in chemistry.