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Gerrit Smith Quotes

Powerful Gerrit Smith for Daily Growth

About Gerrit Smith

Gerrit Smith (1797-1874), an influential American abolitionist, social reformer, and philanthropist, was born on March 14, 1797, in Pompey, New York. The son of William and Tryntje (Hoes) Smith, Gerrit inherited a significant portion of his family's vast landholdings, which allowed him to pursue his passions for reform and social justice. Smith's beliefs were deeply rooted in Quaker principles, and he was greatly influenced by the teachings of Elias Hicks, a prominent Quaker minister who advocated for universal human rights and peace. Smith's abolitionist views were also shaped by his interactions with African Americans, particularly during his time spent in the South. In 1835, Smith co-founded the American Anti-Slavery Society, serving as its treasurer. He was a key figure in the Underground Railroad, providing financial support and shelter to escaped slaves. In 1848, he played a crucial role in organizing the Seneca Falls Convention, which marked the beginning of the women's suffrage movement in the United States. Smith's major works include "Letters on Slavery" (1836), "Plain Words to the Slaves of the United States" (1842), and "The Constitutional Doctrines of the American Government" (1851). His most significant work, however, was the deed he drew up for 270,000 acres of his land in Wisconsin Territory, offering it as a refuge to escaped slaves. Gerrit Smith died on August 6, 1874, leaving behind a legacy of commitment to social justice and equality. His impact on the abolitionist movement, women's suffrage, and the Underground Railroad remains significant in American history.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Give me a place to stand and I will move the earth. - Archimedes"

This quote, attributed to the ancient Greek mathematician and inventor Archimedes, highlights the power that comes from a solid foundation and a single, focused point of action. In essence, it suggests that with a clear understanding (a "place to stand"), an individual can achieve seemingly impossible feats or bring about profound change ("move the earth"). This quote serves as an inspiration for those who seek to make significant impacts in their chosen fields, reminding us that the smallest idea or action can lead to momentous change if pursued with conviction and clarity.

"The ballot is stronger than the bullet."

The quote "The ballot is stronger than the bullet" emphasizes that the power of democracy, represented by the right to vote (the ballot), surpasses the destructive force of weapons (the bullet). It suggests that peaceful and democratic means are more effective in bringing about positive change and shaping society than violence or conflict. This quote underscores the importance of using non-violent methods for social, political, and economic progress, as they have the potential to last longer and create a more sustainable impact on our world.

"I would not be ashamed to strike the rich man who withholds his aid from the poor, and who, when he has the power, oppresses him."

Gerrit Smith's quote emphasizes a strong sense of social justice and moral obligation. He suggests that it is not shameful to confront those who have wealth but withhold aid from the less fortunate, and even more so, to challenge the oppressive actions of the rich towards the poor when they possess the power to do so. This quote underscores the belief that everyone should contribute to the welfare of society, especially the disadvantaged members, and that inaction or mistreatment in this regard is unacceptable.

"A free people can never be enslaved by law, because the law is their enslaver only if they are slaves to the men who make and administer it."

This quote emphasizes that a democratic society can fall into oppression when its laws are manipulated or misused by those in power. The people's freedom lies not just in being free from physical restraints, but also in having the ability to control their own government and destiny through self-governance. If they fail to do so and become subservient to those who create and enforce the laws, then they effectively enslave themselves by allowing others to dictate their lives and liberties. Essentially, Gerrit Smith suggests that true freedom comes from active participation in shaping the law, rather than being subjected to it blindly.

"The ballot box is the only engine of change in the democratic process."

This quote by Gerrit Smith highlights the importance of voting as a key mechanism for instigating change within a democratic system. In other words, the power to bring about meaningful transformation lies primarily with the people through their active participation in elections. The "ballot box" represents the official means of expressing political preferences and influencing the direction of government policy. This quote emphasizes that a strong democracy relies on informed and engaged citizens who exercise their right to vote, thereby shaping the future of their society.

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.

- Gerrit Smith

Nothing, Tell, May, Urging

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.

- Gerrit Smith

Thoughts, New, Modes, Advocacy

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

May, Had, Am, Errors

Let us tell our legislators in advance, that this is a right, restraints on which, we will not, cannot bear; and that every attempt to restrain it is a palpable wrong on God and man.

- Gerrit Smith

Will, Tell, Which, Restrain

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.

- Gerrit Smith

Sometimes, Nothing, North, Claim

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

Hands, Concerned, Which, Claim

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

- Gerrit Smith

Truth, Never, Rights, Suppression

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.

- Gerrit Smith

Natural, Carried, Modes, Asserted

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

- Gerrit Smith

Poor, Count, His, Poor Man

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

- Gerrit Smith

Poor, Load, Smarts, Lash

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.

- Gerrit Smith

Nevertheless, Although, Justly

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.

- Gerrit Smith

Which, Servitude, Towards, Approve

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

- Gerrit Smith

Young, Old, Ranks, Vigorous

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

- Gerrit Smith

Never, Permanent, Occasion, Restored

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

Subscribe, Slaves, Use, I Believe

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

Broken, Temporary, Which, Disguised

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

Trust, Will, Session, Nebraska

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

- Gerrit Smith

Need, Prove, Servitude, Entirely

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

- Gerrit Smith

Construction, Roads, Rail, Object

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

- Gerrit Smith

I Am, I Care, Plain, Rhetoric

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

Mean, Right, Discussion, Tenacious

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

Influence, Cause, Ministers, Vital

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

- Gerrit Smith

Love, Honesty, I Love, Account

I welcomed the organization of the Anti-slavery Society.

- Gerrit Smith

Society, Organization, Welcomed

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

- Gerrit Smith

Slavery, However, Our, Concern

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.

- Gerrit Smith

Reading, Studying, Southern, Obey

To no human charter am I indebted for my rights.

- Gerrit Smith

Rights, Charter, Am, Indebted

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

- Gerrit Smith

Say, Rights, Violated, Turkey

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

- Gerrit Smith

Spring, Favor, Infinitely, Grace

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

Will, Continue, May, Slavery

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