Memorable Quotes from David Costabile
2 quotesDebate on Equality and the Amendment's Purpose
Fernando Wood
I've asked you a question, Mr. Stevens, and you must answer me. Do you or do you not hold that the precept that "all men are created equal" is meant literally? Is that the true purpose of the amendment? To promote your ultimate and ardent dream to elevate—
Thaddeus Stevens
The true purpose of the amendment, Mr. Wood, you perfectly named, brainless, obstructive object?
Fernando Wood
You have always insisted, Mr. Stevens, that Negroes are the same as white men are.
Thaddeus Stevens
The true purpose of the amendment... I don't hold with equality in all things, only with equality before the law and nothing more.
Fernando Wood
That's not true! You believe that Negroes are entirely equal to white men. You've said it a thousand times—
George Pendleton
For shame! For shame! Stop prevaricating and answer Representative Wood!
Thaddeus Stevens
I don't hold with equality in all things, only with equality before the law and nothing more.
George Pendleton
After the decades fervent advocacy on behalf of the colored race—
James Ashley
He's answered your questions! This amendment has naught to do with race equality!
George Pendleton
You have long insisted, have you not that the dusk-colored race is no different from the white one?
Thaddeus Stevens
I don't hold with equality before in all things, only with equality before the law and nothing more.
George Pendleton
Your frantic attempt to delude us now is unworthy of a representative. It is, in fact, unworthy of a white man!
Thaddeus Stevens
How can I hold that all men are created equal, when here before me stands, stinking, the moral carcass of the gentleman from Ohio? Proof that some men are inferior, endowed by their Maker with dim wits, impermeable to reason, with cold, pallid slime in their veins instead of hot red blood! You are more reptile than man, George! So low and flat, that the foot of man is incapable of crushing you!
George Pendleton
How dare you!
Thaddeus Stevens
Yet even you, Pendleton, who should have been gibbeted for treason long before today, even worthless unworthy you ought to be treated equally before the law! And so again, sir, and again and again and again I say: I do not hold with equality in all things. Only with equality before the law.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Debating the Anti-Slavery Amendment in Congress
Abraham Lincoln
Well, Mr. Representative Ashley! Tell us the news from the Hill.
James Ashley
Ah! Well, news...
Abraham Lincoln
Why for instance is this thus, and what is the reason for this thusness?
William Seward
James, we want you to bring the anti-slavery amendment to the floor for debate...
James Ashley
Excuse me? What?
William Seward
...immediately, and... you are the amendment's manager, are you not?
James Ashley
I am, of course, but... immediately?
William Seward
And we're counting on robust radical support, so tell Mr. Stevens we expect him to put his back into it, it's not going to be easy, but we trust...
James Ashley
It's impossible. No, I am sorry, no, we can't organize anything immediately in the House. I have been canvassing the Democrats since the election, in case any of them softened after they got walloped. But they have stiffened if anything, Mr. Secretary. There aren't nearly enough votes—
Abraham Lincoln
We're whalers, Mr. Ashley!
James Ashley
Whalers? As in, uh, whales?
Abraham Lincoln
We've been chasing this whale for a long time. We've finally placed a harpoon in the monster's back. It's in, James, it's in! We finish the deed now, we can't wait! Or with one flop of his tail, he'll smash the boat and send us all to eternity!
[slaps Ashley's shoulder]
William Seward
On the 31st of this month, of this year, put the amendment up for a vote.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.