Top quotes by Gerrit Smith

God cannot approve of a system of servitude, in which the master is guilty of assuming absolute power - of assuming God's place and relation towards his fellow-men. Votes: 23

Our political and constitutional rights, so called, are but the natural and inherent rights of man, asserted, carried out, and secured by modes of human contrivance. Votes: 17

But as well may you, when urging a man up-hill with a heavy load upon his back, and with your lash also upon his back, tell him, that be has nothing to do either with the load or the lash. Votes: 16

The Southern slave would obey God in respect to marriage, and also to the reading and studying of His word. But this, as we have seen, is forbidden him. Votes: 13

Let the poor man count as his enemy, and his worst enemy, every invader of the right of free discussion. Votes: 12

Truth and mercy require the exertion - never the suppression, of man's noble rights and powers. Votes: 11

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. Votes: 10

I need say no more, to prove that slavery is entirely unlike the servitude in the patriarchal families. Votes: 10

I do not object to the construction of rail roads and canals. Votes: 9

I welcomed the organization of the Anti-slavery Society. Votes: 9

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." Votes: 8

To no human charter am I indebted for my rights. Votes: 7

It, sometimes, suits the slaveholders to claim, that their slavery is an exclusively State concern; and that the North has, therefore, nothing to do with it. Votes: 7

The poor North has much to do with slavery. It staggers under its load and smarts under its lash. Votes: 7

There is one class of men, whom it especially behoves to be tenacious of the right of free discussion. I mean the poor. Votes: 6

When a good man lends himself to the advocacy of slavery, he must, at least for a time, feel himself to be any where but at home, amongst his new thoughts, doctrines, and modes of reasoning. Votes: 6

To say, that Capt. Ingraham violated the rights of Turkey, is nonsense. Votes: 6

But I love honesty, and, therefore; do I make great account of facts. Votes: 5

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. Votes: 5

There is room in our ranks for the old and decrepit, as well as the young and vigorous. Votes: 4

My rights all spring front an infinitely nobler source - from favor and grace of God. Votes: 3

It is manifestly vital to the success of the anti-slavery cause, that the authority and influence of proslavery, especially of slaveholding, ministers should be destroyed. Votes: 3

I am a plain man, and I care and know comparatively little about rhetoric. Votes: 3

I prefer, in a word, the republican system, because it comes up more nearly to God's system. Votes: 3

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. Votes: 3

True, permanent peace can never be restored, until slavery, the occasion of the war, has ceased. Votes: 2

As this is the first time I have had the floor, it may be well for me now to confess, that I am in the habit of freely imputing errors to my fellow-men. Votes: 2

I believe that government is for the use of the people, and not the people for the use of the government. Votes: 0

Our concern, however, is with slavery as it is, and not with any theory of it. Votes: 0

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. Votes: 0

True liberty acknowledges and defends the equal rights of all men, and all nations. Votes: 0

We must continue to judge of slavery by what it is, and not by what you tell us it will, or may be. Votes: 0