"I am a-goin' for to tell you here to-day; yes, I'm a-goin for to tell you all, that I'm a plebian! I glory in it; I a…"

"Whenever you hear a man prating about the Constitution, spot him as a traitor."

"There are no good laws but such as repeal other laws."

"There are some who lack confidence in the integrity and capacity of the people to govern themselves. To all who enter…"

"No, gentlemen, if I am to be shot at, I want no man to be in the way of the bullet."

"Mr. Jefferson meant the white race."

"I have lived among Negroes, all my life, and I am for this Government with slavery under the Constitution as it is. I…"

"Colored men of Tennessee, humble and unworthy as I am, if no better shall be found I will indeed be your Moses and le…"

"If you could extend the elective franchise to all persons of color who can read the Constitution of the United States…"

"This is your country as well as anybody else's country. This country is founded upon the principle of equality. He th…"