Political Quotes

On the recordJanuary 31, 2017
There are stark similarities between what happened in the 1850s and now. You judge for yourself. In 1856, former President Millard Fillmore ran for President as part of the Know-Nothing group. A year after the failed attempt, most of the Know-Nothing supporters joined the newly formed Republican Party. You can't make this up. A primary concern of the Know-Nothing movement in the 1850s was the large number of Irish and German Catholics who were coming to the United States. A concern they repeatedly professed was a worry that the character of the country would be changed because they were coming here. Lincoln said this: ``As a nation, we begin by declaring that `all men are created equal.' We now practically read it `all men are created equal, except Negroes.' When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read `all men are created equal except Negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' '' When it comes to this, I should prefer immigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty. Russia--oh, the similarities are unbelievable--where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy. That is the difference. But there are a lot of similarities. ____________________
Said by
Bill Pascrell
Democratic · New Jersey

Share & report

More from Bill Pascrell

Jun 12, 2019

I thank Madam Chair for her comments. Mr. Chair, I strongly encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the…

govinfo.gov
Jul 12, 2019

We have here today, and we are here today to state, it will never be clear until we help every first responder who has suffered in running to the tragedy. We need to act now. Originally, this program was named after my constituent, New…

govinfo.gov
Jun 12, 2019

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 53, line 2, after the dollar amount, insert ``(increased by $900,000)''. Page 90, line 6, after the…

govinfo.gov
Jun 25, 2019

I rise on behalf of more than 68 million Americans who lack access to adequate banking services. They are often shut out of banks because of fees tied to minimum balances, overdrafts, direct deposit penalties, and, of course, ATM charges…

govinfo.gov

Other voices in this conversation