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Robert Toombs Quotes

Powerful Robert Toombs for Daily Growth

About Robert Toombs

Robert Toombs (1810-1885) was an American politician, lawyer, and author, best known for his passionate oratory during the secession debates leading up to the American Civil War. Born on October 24, 1810, in Washington County, Georgia, Toombs was educated at Franklin College and studied law under future U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thomas R. Taylor. Toombs' political career began in earnest in 1836 when he was elected to the Georgia State House of Representatives. He served as a delegate to the Georgia Secession Convention in 1861, which led to Georgia's secession from the Union. A staunch proponent of states' rights and slavery, Toombs held several political positions during his lifetime, including U.S. Senator (1853-1857), Confederate States Secretary of State (1861-1862), and a judge on the Supreme Court of Georgia (1870-1885). Toombs was a prolific writer, penning numerous essays, speeches, and letters. His most famous work is "A Speech in Congress Delivered at Washington, January 26, 1854," in which he passionately defended the right of Southern states to expand slavery into the territories. This speech was widely circulated during the debates leading up to the Civil War and is considered a classic example of antebellum oratory. Despite his controversial views on race, Toombs played a significant role in shaping American political discourse during the 19th century. His life and works continue to be studied and debated by historians and scholars today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"My heart is in the South; my country is in the North."

This quote by Robert Toombs reflects a deep personal and emotional connection to the Southern United States, while acknowledging that his allegiance and duties are with the North, likely referencing political or social affiliations during the period of American history leading up to the Civil War. It suggests a complex sense of identity and loyalty torn between regional and national allegiances.

"I would rather die a thousand deaths than see Virginia or any portion of her soil occupied by foreign armies."

This quote expresses Robert Toombs' strong emotional attachment and patriotism towards Virginia, his homeland. He is stating that he would endure extreme hardship, symbolized by "a thousand deaths," rather than see it under the control of foreign forces. It highlights a deep sense of loyalty and love for one's native land, reflecting a common sentiment during times of war or occupation.

"If it is treason to love my native land, then I am guilty of treason."

This quote expresses deep patriotism and a sense of allegiance towards one's homeland or native land. The speaker, Robert Toombs, is stating that if loving his country is considered treasonous, then he accepts the charge, implying that he feels a strong emotional bond and loyalty to his home. The quote underscores the importance people place on their national identity and demonstrates a willingness to defend and uphold their homeland's values and interests.

"In politics, as in war, it is unwise to neglect the enemy at one's rear lest he come upon us suddenly from that quarter, while we are occupied with other and more distant foes."

This quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining vigilance against potential threats from all directions in politics, just as in war. Neglecting internal opposition or challenges can lead to unexpected attacks or surprises when one is focused on external issues or opponents. In other words, it's crucial to stay aware and prepared for both immediate and long-term dangers in order to achieve success in political endeavors.

"The Union now stands only by the force of arms, and if those arms should cease to be upheld by the people, it would fall, as a house of cards."

This quote by Robert Toombs suggests that in 1860, when he said this, the Union (United States) was holding together primarily due to military force, not popular support or unity. He implied that if the people's support for the Union were to wane, it would collapse like a house of cards, as there would be no underlying foundation to sustain it. This quote reflects the division and tension in the United States prior to the American Civil War.

We have not sought this conflict; we have sought too long to avoid it; our forbearance has been construed into weakness, our magnanimity into fear, until the vindication of our manhood, as well as the defence of our rights, is required at our hands.

- Robert Toombs

Hands, Been, Defence, Vindication

When we acquired California and New- Mexico this party, scorning all compromises and all concessions, demanded that slavery should be forever excluded from them, and all other acquisitions of the Republic, either by purchase or conquest, forever.

- Robert Toombs

New Mexico, Other, Republic, Compromises

The door of conciliation and compromise is finally closed by our adversaries, and it remains only to us to meet the conflict with the dignity and firmness of men worthy of freedom.

- Robert Toombs

Door, Worthy, Finally, Compromise

They all agree, they are all unanimous in Congress, in the States, on the rostrum, in the sanctuary - everywhere they declare that slavery shall not go into the Territories.

- Robert Toombs

Congress, Sanctuary, Declare, Territories

We had a large common domain, already added by the several States for the common benefit of all; purchase and war might make large additions to this common domain; hence the power over existing and future territories, with the stipulation to admit new States, was conferred.

- Robert Toombs

Had, Added, Several, Territories

With these vast advantages, ordinary and extraordinary, one would have supposed the North would have been content, and would have at least respected the security and tranquility of such obedient and profitable brethren; but such is not human nature.

- Robert Toombs

Nature, Been, Obedient, Respected

The principles and policy of these Presidents were marked by the most enlarged and comprehensive statesmanship, promoting the highest interests of the Republic.

- Robert Toombs

Republic, Promoting, Marked, Statesmanship

The instant the Government was organized, at the very first Congress, the Northern States evinced a general desire and purpose to use it for their own benefit, and to pervert its powers for sectional advantage, and they have steadily pursued that policy to this day.

- Robert Toombs

Purpose, Congress, Very, Steadily

Peace and commerce with foreign nations could be more effectually and cheaply cultivated by a common agent; therefore they gave the Federal Government the sole management of our relations with foreign governments.

- Robert Toombs

Sole, Cheaply, Cultivated, Relations

The mongers brought them together upon a mutual surrender of their principles.

- Robert Toombs

Principles, Mutual, Brought, Surrender

Those who tell you that the territorial question is an abstraction, that you can never colonize another territory without the African slavetrade, are both deaf and blind to the history of the last sixty years.

- Robert Toombs

Question, Blind, Sixty, Territorial

I very much regret, in appearing before you at your request, to address you on the present state of the country, and the prospect before us, that I can bring you no good tidings.

- Robert Toombs

Country, Request, Very, Appearing

Mr. Tyler acquired Texas by voluntary compact, and Mr. Polk California and New Mexico by successful war.

- Robert Toombs

New, Compact, Mr, Tyler

The basis, the corner-stone of this Government, was the perfect equality of the free, sovereign, and independent States which made it.

- Robert Toombs

Government, Perfect, Which, Sovereign

The North understand it better - they have told us for twenty years that their object was to pen up slavery within its present limits - surround it with a border of free States, and like the scorpion surrounded with fire, they will make it sting itself to death.

- Robert Toombs

Death, Surrounded, North, Twenty

Give us equality of enjoyment, equal right to expansion - it is as necessary to our prosperity as yours.

- Robert Toombs

Enjoyment, Give, Equal, Yours

They demanded a monopoly of the coasting trade, in order to get higher freights than they could get in open competition with the carriers of the world.

- Robert Toombs

Competition, Trade, Could, Monopoly

Conflicting commercial regulations of the different States shackled and diminished both foreign and domestic trade; hence the power to regulate commerce was conferred.

- Robert Toombs

Commercial, Regulate, Conferred

Besides, we had a large debt, contracted at home and abroad in our War of Independence; therefore the great power of taxation was conferred upon this Government.

- Robert Toombs

Abroad, Large, Contracted, Conferred

Certainly there was no just cause of complaint from the Northern States - no advantage was ever sought or obtained by them for their section of the Republic.

- Robert Toombs

Republic, Cause, Certainly, Obtained

We can today open wide the history of their administrations and point with pride to every act, and challenge the world to point out a single act stained with injustice to the North, or with partiality to their own section.

- Robert Toombs

Stained, Single Act, Wide, Partiality

This position of this Northern party brought about the troubles of 1850, and the political excitement of 1854.

- Robert Toombs

Political, About, Brought, Excitement

They enlarged the domains of commerce by treaties with all nations, upon the great principle of equal justice to all nations, and special favors to none.

- Robert Toombs

Principle, Great Principle, Domains

Neither these statesmen nor their constituents sought in any way to use the Government for the interest of themselves or their section, or for the injury of a single member of the Confederacy.

- Robert Toombs

Use, Confederacy, Sought, Injury

There were thousands of abolitionists who were free traders.

- Robert Toombs

Free, Who, Were, Thousands

In 1790 we had less than eight hundred thousand slaves. Under our mild and humane administration of the system they have increased above four millions.

- Robert Toombs

Slaves, Hundred, Humane, Mild

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