Stephen A. Douglas Professions : Former U.S. Representative Born : April 23, 1813 Died : June 3, 1861 Browse All Authors Top 5 quotes by Stephen A. Douglas I deny the right of Congress to force a slaveholding State upon an unwilling people. I deny their right to force a free State upon an unwilling people. I deny their right to force a good thing upon a people who are unwilling to receive it. The great principle is the right of every community to judge and decide for itself, whether a thing is right or wrong, whether it would be good or evil for them to adopt it; and the right of free action, the right of free thought, the right of free judgment upon the question is dearer to every true American than any other under a free government. Stephen A. Douglas government war people Slavery cannot exist a day or an hour anywhere, unless it is supported by local police regulations. Stephen A. Douglas slavery police war Every man must be for the United States or against it. There can be no neutrals in this war; only patriots and traitors. Stephen A. Douglas united-states men war I am now speaking of rights under the Constitution, and not of moral or religious rights. I do not discuss the morals of the people of Missouri, but let them settle that matter for themselves. I hold that the people of the slaveholding States are civilized men as well as ourselves, that they bear consciences as well as we, and that they are accountable to God and their posterity and not to us. It is for them to decide therefore the moral and religious right of the slavery question for themselves within their own limits. Stephen A. Douglas religious rights men Slavery is not the only question which comes up in this controversy. There is a far more important one to you, and that is, what shall be done with the free negro? Stephen A. Douglas slavery important done Similar Authors Alan Mollohan former-us-representative Bob Inglis former-us-representative Anthony Weiner former-us-representative Ann Marie Buerkle former-us-representative Bobby Schilling former-us-representative Bob Filner former-us-representative All Authors
