Benjamin F. Wade

Sir, I am no sycophant or worshipper of power anywhere.

Sometimes it leads me even to hesitate whether I am strictly correct in my idea that all men are born to equal rights, for their conduct seems to me to contravene the doctrine.

We certainly cannot have any further political connection with the Whigs of the South; they have rendered such connection impossible. An impassable gulf separates us, and must here-after separate us.

If a horse has four legs, and I'm riding it, I think I can win.

A free life cannot acquire many possessions, because this is not easy to do without servility to mobs or monarchs.

I am a big one for subtlety and empathy. My dad was softly spoken and didn't carry his honours and accomplishments for everyone to see.