Davy Crockett Quotes
Be always sure you are right then Go, ahead.
These quotes are direct, verbatim quotes from Davy Crockett's writings. It is evident that the rules of grammar and spelling at the time were quite loose, but typical of many writings of the early 19th century. His personal motto is at the top of this page.
This page deals primarily with quotes of a political nature, reflecting Colonel Crockett's values. Additional quotes, reflecting his character, are on this linked page.
Views on Partisan Politics
Although our great man at the head of the nation, has changed his course, I will not change mine. I would rather be politically dead than hypocritically immortalized...I shall insist upon it that I am still a Jackson man, but General Jackson is not; he has become a Van Buren man.
On President Jackson's 'abandoning' earlier principles
Some large dogs I have seen here with their collers on with letters engraved on the coller "My dog" - and the man's name on the Coller. I have not got a coller round my neck marked my dogn
with the name of Andrew Jackson on it - because I would not take the coller round my nick I was herld from their party.
On principles versus politics
...it was expected of me that I was to bow to the name of Andrew Jackson...even at the expense of my conscience and judgement. such a thing was new to me, and a total stranger to my principles.
On principles verses politics
I would rather be beaton and be a man than to be elected and be a little puppy dog. I have always supported measures and principles and not men. I have acted fearless and independent and I never will regret my course. I would rather be politically buried that to be hypochriticalley immortalized.
Statement following his 1831 defeat
I am at liberty to vote as my conscience and judgement dictates to be right, without the yoke of any party on me...Look at my arms, you will find no party hand-cuff on them.
Voting his conscience
Views on Congress & Government
...thare is no chance of hurrying buissiness here like in the legeslature of a State. There is such a desposition here to show elequence that this will be a long session...
On the 'speed' of legislation in Congress
...a higher authority, to which it was his duty and his pride ever to bow - his last instructions were from his own constituents, and these, in his estimation, took precedence of all others.
On loyalty to constituents
He would vote to go through any gentleman's state with a road or a canoe, that was for the good of the union. He did not believe that he should ever give up that doctrine.
On the eminence of the Federal Government in some matters
However, when the election came on, the people of the district and of Madison county among the rest, seemed disposed to prove to Mr. Fitzgerald and the Jackson Legislature, that they
were not to be transferred like hogs...
On the gerrymandering of his district
If one man in the country could take all the money, what was the use of passing any bills about it?
On too much Executive Power
He had never thought to see expenses doubled in a few years.
On 'big' government
...once conquor the Senate...he will put his foot on the Constitution and tell the Judicial powar to go to hell.
Prediction should Jackson forces carry the Senate
It was nonsense to talk about its being a sacrifice to come there; for if it were, they would not see so many grasping to be members of Congress.
On extra pay for a congressional committee in the summer
Views of Events in His life
...the enemy fought with savage fury, and met death with all its horrours, without shrinking or complaining: not one asked to be spared, but fought as long as they could stand or sit.
Observations on the bravery of American Indian fighters
I have never knew what is was to sacrafice my own judgment to grattify any party and I have no doubt of the time being close at hand when I will be rewarded for letting my tonque speak what my hart thinks. I have suffered my self to be politically sacrifised to save my country from ruin and disgrace and if I am never a gain elected I will have the grattification to know that I have done my duty.
Comments on his final defeat (1835) & hope for future opportunities
Since you have chosen to elect a man with a timber toe to succeed me, you may all go to hell and I will go to Texas.
Final statement on his Congressional defeat
...I have but little doubt of being elected a member to form a constitution for this province. I am rejoiced at my fate. I had rather be in my present situation than to be elected to a seat in Congress for life. I am in hopes of making a fortune yet for myself and family, bad as my prospect has been.
Early comments from Texas
Views on Crime and Law
...were never appealed from, and if they had been they would have stuck like wax, as I gave my decisions on the principles of common justice and honesty between man and man, and relied on natural born sense,
and not on law, learning to guide me; for I had never read a page in a law book in all my life.
On the basis of his legal decisions 1818
Views on the Working Class & the Tennessee Land Bill
...convinced that if the sale was made for ready money, poor people would get but very little if any of the land; there were no ready money people settled in new countries, if they did, none of them had come into his country. He was decidedly in favor of selling on credit, or at least for the greatest part of the purchase money. He did not come here to legislate for the ready-money men...
Opposition to 'cash only' sale of lands, favorable to the wealthy
Will you not bestow it as a boon upon the unfortunate people who have nothing else in the world? There they are living in peace: they can there make shift to burying up their children. some of them are widows, whose husbands fell while fighting your battles on the frontiers. None of them are rich; but they are honest, industrious, hardy, persevering, kind-hearted people. I know them: I know their situation. I have shared the hospitality of their cottages, and been honored by their confidence with a seat in this assembly; and
based and ungrateful indeed, must I be, when I cease to remember it. No sir, I cannot forget it: and if their little is all to be wrestled from them, for the purpose of State speculation; if a swindling machine is to be set up to strip them of what little the surveyors, and the colleges, and the warrant holders, have left them, it shall never be said that I sat by in silence, and refused, however humbly, to advocate their cause.
Opposition to the land bill
...hold fast to your possessions, and the justice of your country will yet secure you. The party in power, like Jonah's gourd, grew up quickly, and will quickly fall.
Comments on the Jackson Party's future
Heaven knows that I have done all that a mortal could do, to save the people, and the failure was not my fault, but the fault of others.
Summary of his first-term Congressional efforts
He is gone from among us, and is no more to be seen in the walks of men, but in his death like Sampson, he slew more of his enemies than in all his life. Even his most bitter enemies here, I believe,
have buried all animosity, and join the general lamentation over his untimely end.
Words written by Davy's son John Wesley Crockett, 1836
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