Quotes from Gerrit Smith

It is not to be disguised, that a war has broken out between the North and the South. - Political and commercial men are industriously striving to restore peace: but the peace, which they would effect, is superficial, false, and temporary.

The only ground on which a neutral State can claim respect at the hands of belligerents is, that, so far as she is concerned, their rights are protected.

I trust, that your readers will not construe my words to mean, that I would not have gone to a 3 o'clock in the morning session, for the sake of defeating the Nebraska bill.

True liberty acknowledges and defends the equal rights of all men, and all nations.

There is one class of men, whom it especially behoves to be tenacious of the right of free discussion. I mean the poor.

I need say no more, to prove that slavery is entirely unlike the servitude in the patriarchal families.

I do not subscribe to the doctrine that the people are the slaves and property of their government. I believe that government is for the use of the people, and not the people for the use of the government.

There is room in our ranks for the old and decrepit, as well as the young and vigorous.

To say, that Capt. Ingraham violated the rights of Turkey, is nonsense.

But, although America cannot be justly charged with violating the rights of Turkey, Turkey nevertheless can be justly charged with violating the rights of America.