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.

Quote by Gerrit Smith

Topics: Gerrit Smith Quotes

As this is the first time I have had the floor, it may be well...

As this is the first time I have had the floor, it may be well...

The poor North has much to do with slavery. It staggers under its load and...

The poor North has much to do with slavery. It staggers under its load and...

I welcomed the organization of the Anti-slavery Society.

I welcomed the organization of the Anti-slavery Society.

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

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

God cannot approve of a system of servitude, in which the master is guilty of...

God cannot approve of a system of servitude, in which the master is guilty of...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There is one class of men, whom it especially behoves to be tenacious of the...

There is one class of men, whom it especially behoves to be tenacious of the...

Our political and constitutional rights, so called, are but the natural and inherent rights of...

Our political and constitutional rights, so called, are but the natural and inherent rights of...

Let us tell our legislators in advance, that this is a right, restraints on which,...

Let us tell our legislators in advance, that this is a right, restraints on which,...

The only ground on which a neutral State can claim respect at the hands of...

The only ground on which a neutral State can claim respect at the hands of...

It is not to be disguised, that a war has broken out between the North...

It is not to be disguised, that a war has broken out between the North...

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

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

It is manifestly vital to the success of the anti-slavery cause, that the authority and...

It is manifestly vital to the success of the anti-slavery cause, that the authority and...

The Southern slave would obey God in respect to marriage, and also to the reading...

The Southern slave would obey God in respect to marriage, and also to the reading...

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

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