American - Author | December 27, 1846 - May 12, 1913
My mother was a Northern woman, daughter of Hon. John Sergeant, a distinguished lawyer, and for many years representative in Congress from Philadelphia.
John Sergeant Wise
MotherDaughterWomanLawyerYears
In those days, slavery was not looked upon, even in Quaker Philadelphia, with the shudder and abhorrence one feels towards it now.
SlaveryPhiladelphiaNowDaysEven
Even if my mother had no qualms of conscience concerning ownership of negroes, her sense of duty carried her far beyond the mere supplying of their physical needs, or requiring that they render faithful service.
MotherServiceOwnershipDutyBeyond
Father had notions about manhood suffrage, public schools, the education and the elevation of the masses, and the gradual emancipation of the slaves, that did not suit the uncompromising views of people in places like Richmond.
EducationFatherPeoplePlacesSuit
It is true, there was no public-school system, and the reason for it was very plain. The wealth of the upper classes enabled them to have private tutors.
WealthTrueReasonSystemTutors
In the year 1857, passing through Washington on our return from the annual visit to Philadelphia, I had the distinguished honor of visiting a President for the first time.
TimeHonorYearPhiladelphiaFirst
Of private differences personal to himself, my brother had none.
BrotherDifferencesPersonalNone
Virginians were no more angels or philanthropists than people to the north or to the south of them. They were moved by their affections, their interest, and their resentments, just as humanity is moved today.
TodayPeopleHumanityAngelsMore
That settled Abraham Lincoln with me. I was thoroughly satisfied that no such man ought to be President; but I could not yet conceive it possible that such a monster would be the choice of a majority of the people for President.
ManPeopleMeChoicePossibleWould
Wealthy men, too, like several of those in our neighborhood, had so many slaves that they were compelled to buy other plantations on which to employ them.
MenBuyNeighborhoodSlavesLike
This and many others only confirmed me in the opinion, planted when I saw the sale of Martha Ann, and growing steadily thereafter, that slavery was an accursed business, and that the sooner my people were relieved of it, the better.
BusinessPeopleMeSlaveryOpinion
Copyright © 2024 QuotesDict John Sergeant Wise quotes