William H. Seward
William H. Seward
William Henry Sewardwas 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. Although regarded as the leading contender for the party's presidential nomination in 1860, he was defeated by Abraham Lincoln...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionStatesman
Date of Birth16 May 1801
CountryUnited States of America
William H. Seward quotes about
A party with one idea; but that is a noble idea ... the idea of equality - the equality of all men before human tribunals and human laws.
I know and all the world knows, that revolutions never go backwards.
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.
I have learned, by some experience, that virtue and patriotism, vice and selfishness, are found in all parties, and that they differ less in their motives than in the policies they pursue.
The whole hope of human progress is suspended on the ever-growing influence of the Bible.
Sir, there is no Christian nation, thus free to choose as we are, which would establish slavery.
It is an irrepressible conflict between opposing and enduring forces.
There is no social life outside of Christendom.
I speak on due consideration because Britain, France, and Mexico, have abolished slavery, and all other European states are preparing to abolish it as speedily as they can.