Quote#Freedom
The leading public men of the South, in our early history, were…
Quote byAlexander H. Stephens · 1812–1883
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Regarding the views of the U.S. Founding Fathers and their opposition to slavery, retirement speech (June 1859), as quoted in Lincoln's Defense of Politics: The Public Man and His Opponents, by Thomas E. Schneider, p. 27.
English (original)
The leading public men of the South, in our early history, were almost all against it. Jefferson was against it. This I freely admit, when the authority of their names is cited. It was a question which they did not, and perhaps could not, thoroughly understand at that time.
— Alexander H. Stephens
More from Alexander H. Stephens
the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery, subordination to the superior race, is his natural and normal condition.
In the conflict thus far, success has been on our side, complete throughout the length and breadth of the Confederate States. It is upon this, as I have stated, our social fabric is firmly planted; and I cannot permit myself to doubt the …
So, taking the whole new constitution, I have no hesitancy in giving it as my judgment that it is decidedly better than the old.
African slavery as it exists amongst us; the proper status of the negro in our form of civilization. This was the immediate cause of the late rupture and present revolution.
I was remarking that we are passing through one of the greatest revolutions in the annals of the world. Seven States have within the last three months thrown off an old government and formed a new. This revolution has been signally marked, …
With us, all of the white race, however high or low, rich or poor, are equal in the eye of the law. Not so with the negro. Subordination is his place.