Robert Smalls
American politician and former slave (1839-1915)
Robert Smalls (April 5, 1839 – February 23, 1915), born into slavery, was an American businessman, publisher, and politician.
Quotes
edit- My race needs no special defense, for the past history of them in this country proves them to be equal of any people anywhere. All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life.
- South Carolina Constitutional Convention (1895)
- Good morning, sir! I've brought you some of the old United States guns, sir!
- Upon surrender of the USS Planter to the USS Onward (May 13, 1862)
- I ask that every colored man in the North who has a vote to cast would cast that vote for the regular Republican Party and thus bury the Democratic Party so deep that there will not be seen even a bubble coming from the spot where the burial took place
- September 12, 1912 Letter, expressing concerns over the Presidential election
