Salmon Chase Quotes & Sayings

The Proclamation does not, indeed, mark out exactly the course I should myself prefer. But I am ready to take it just as it is written, and to stand by it with all my heart. — Salmon P. Chase

All men are born equally free. — Salmon P. Chase

The law of the Creator, which invests every human being with an inalienable title to freedom, cannot be repealed by any interior law which asserts that man is property. — Salmon P. Chase

The President then proceeded to read his Emancipation Proclamation, making remarks on the several parts as he went on, and showing that he had fully considered the whole subject, in all lights under which it had been presented to him. — Salmon P. Chase

A resignation is a grave act; never performed by a right minded man without forethought or with reserve. — Salmon P. Chase

The way to resumption is to resume. — Salmon Portland Chase

True Democracy makes no enquiry about the color of the skin, or the place of nativity. Wherever it sees a man, it recognizes a being endowed by his Creator with original inalienable rights — Salmon P. Chase

Once I should have been, if not satisfied, partially, at least, contented with suffrage for the intelligent and those who have been soldiers; now I am convinced that universal suffrage is demanded by sound policy and impartial justice. — Salmon P. Chase

No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins. — Salmon P. Chase

If Congress sees fit to impose a capitation, or other direct tax, it must be laid in proportion to the census; if Congress determines to impose duties, imposts, and excises, they must be uniform throughout the United States. These are not strictly limitations of power. They are rules prescribing the mode in which it shall be exercised. This review shows that personal property, contracts, occupations, and the like have never been regarded by Congress as proper subjects of direct tax. — Salmon P. Chase

What can be indissoluble if a perpetual Union, made more perfect, is not? — Salmon P. Chase

I made this resolution today. I will try to excel in all things yet if I am excelled, without fault of mine, I will not be mortified. I will not withhold from any one the praise which I think his due; nor will I allow myself to envy another's praise or to feel jealousy when I hear him praised. May God help me to keep it. — Salmon P. Chase

Commodore Koudelka had just taken a mouthful of wine to chase his last bite of salmon. The atomized spray arced nearly to Delia, seated across from her father. A lungful of wine in a man that age was an alarming event in any case; Olivia patted his back in hesitant worry, as he buried his reddening face in his napkin and gasped. Drou half-pushed her chair back, as she hesitated between going up around the table to assist her husband or, possibly, down the table to strangle Mark. — Lois McMaster Bujold

I never refused my help to any person black or white; and I liked the office nonetheless because there were neither fees nor salary connected with it. — Salmon P. Chase

The child is pronounced pretty. I think it quite otherwise. — Salmon P. Chase

You have it in your power greatly to promote my happiness by your good conduct, and greatly to destroy my comfort and peace by ill conduct. — Salmon P. Chase

The Constitution in all its provisions looks to an indestructible union disposed of indestructible States. — Salmon Portland Chase

How wrong it is for those who love, not to express their love. — Salmon P. Chase

The legal tender quality [of money] is only valuable for the purposes of dishonesty. — Salmon P. Chase

My agency in promoting the passage of the National Banking Act was the greatest mistake of my life. It has built up a monopoly which affects every interest in the country — Salmon P. Chase

What you have said, Mr. President, fully satisfies me that you have given to every proposition which has been made, a kind and candid consideration. And you have now expressed the conclusion to which you have arrived, clearly and distinctly. — Salmon P. Chase

And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution, upon military necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of all mankind, and the gracious favor of Almighty God. — Salmon P. Chase

No more slave States; no slave Territories. — Salmon P. Chase

No more slave States and no more slave territory. — Salmon P. Chase

There came a time in my life when I doubted the divinity of the Scriptures, and I resolved as a lawyer and a judge I would try the Book as I would try anything in the courtroom, taking evidence for and against. It was a long, serious and profound study and using the same principles of evidence in this religious matter as I always do in secular matters, I have come to the decision that the Bible is a supernatural Book, that it has come from God, and that the only safety for the human race is to follow its teachings. — Salmon P. Chase