Quotes by Gerrit Smith

About Gerrit Smith:

Gerrit Smith was a leading United States social reformer, abolitionist, politician, and philanthropist. Spouse to Ann Carroll Fitzhugh, Smith was a candidate for President of the United States in 1848, 1856, and 1860, but only served 18 months in the federal government—in Congress as a Free Soil Party Representative, in 1853–4.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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

Gerrit Smith

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.

Gerrit Smith

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

Gerrit Smith

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.

Gerrit Smith

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

Gerrit Smith

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

Gerrit Smith

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.

Gerrit Smith

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.

Gerrit Smith

I welcomed the organization of the Anti-slavery Society.

Gerrit Smith

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.

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.

Gerrit Smith

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

Gerrit Smith

Author Bio

  • NameGerrit Smith
  • DescriptionAmerican abolitionist and politician
  • BornMarch 6, 1797
  • DiedDecember 28, 1874
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionPolitician