But I deny that the Constitution recognizes property in man.
William H. SewardRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that moral character is found across all political parties, differing primarily in their approaches rather than their intentions.
William H. Seward's quote reflects on the nature of political belief and morality, asserting that both virtuous and selfish traits exist within every political faction. He emphasizes that the difference between parties is not rooted in their fundamental values or motives, but rather in the specific policies and actions they adopt in pursuit of those values.
Themes
PoliticsVirtuePatriotismSelfishnessParties
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a political debate to highlight the shared human qualities across different parties.
More from William H. Seward
All quotes →If slavery, limited as it yet is, now threatens to subvert the Constitution, how can we as wise and prudent statesmen, enlarge its boundaries and increase its influence, and thus increase already impending dangers?
William H. SewardRead
But you answer, that the Constitution recognizes property in slaves. It would be sufficient, then, to reply, that this constitutional recognition must be void, because it is repugnant to the law of nature and of nations.
William H. SewardRead
I deem it established, then, that the Constitution does not recognize property in man, but leaves that question, as between the states, to the law of nature and of nations.
William H. SewardRead
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. SewardRead
The two systems slave and free-labor are incompatible. They have never permanently existed together in one country, and they never can.
William H. SewardRead
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