William H. Seward Quotes

United States, Secretary
May 16, 1801 – October, 10, 1872.

William Henry Seward (May 16, 1801 – October 10, 1872) was United States Secretary of State from 1861 to 1869, and earlier served as Governor of New York and United States Senator. A determined opponent of the spread of slavery in the years leading up to the American Civil War, he was a dominant figure in the Republican Party in its formative years, and was praised for his work on behalf of the Union as Secretary of State during the American Civil War.

Also known as Statesman, Governor, Senator

The color of the prisoner's skin, and the form of his features, are not impressed upon the spiritual immortal mind which works beneath. In spite of human pride, he is still your brother, and mine, in form and color accepted and approved by his Father, and yours, and mine, and bears equally with us the proudest inheritance of our race - the image of our Maker. Hold him then to be a Man.

William H. Seward
- Men
- Mind
- Father
But I deny that the Constitution recognizes property in man.

William H. Seward

But there is a higher law than the Constitution, which regulates our authority over the domain, and devotes it to the same noble purposes.

William H. Seward
Therefore, states are equal in natural rights.

William H. Seward
- Hair
- Natural
- Equal
We show our sympathy with slavery by emancipating slaves where we cannot reach them, and holding them in bondage where we can set them free.

William H. Seward
- Shows
- Slavery
- Slave
But assuming the same premises, to wit, that all men are equal by the law of nature and of nations, the right of property in slaves falls to the ground; for one who is equal to another cannot be the owner or property of that other.

William H. Seward
- Men
- Fall
- Slave
But the Constitution was made not only for southern and northern states, but for states neither northern nor southern, namely, the western states, their coming in being foreseen and provided for.

William H. Seward