Quotes

Other

Now, Jabez Stone, as for what you're calling hard luck, we made New England out of it. That and cod fish.

Dialogue

Jabez Stone: What does it mean here, about my soul? Mr. Scratch: Why should that worry you? A soul? A soul is nothing. Can you see it, smell it, touch it? No. This soul, your soul, are nothing against seven years of good luck. You'll have money and all that money can buy.

Dialogue

Mary Stone: Give me the book, Ma. I'm going to read us something cheerful from the book of Ruth. That is, if you don't mind changing the lesson. Ma Stone: Land sakes, I don't mind. I never did hold much with Job, even if he is scripture. Took on too much to suit me. Course I don't want to malign the man; but he always sounded to me like he come from Massachusetts.

Dialogue

Jabez Stone: You promised me happiness, love, and friendship! Mr. Scratch: Just a minute. I promised you money and all that money could buy. I don't recall any other obligations.

Dialogue

Jabez Stone: Money's a funny thing ain't it, Ma? Ma Stone: I figure it depends a mite on how you get it and how you spend it. Jabez Stone: But I don't spend any. Ma Stone: But you should, son. That's all it's good for. Jabez Stone: Do you really think that? Ma Stone: That's just common sense. Now a man like Daniel Webster: guess they pay him high for what he does, but he's worth it. And he helps others... makes all the difference. Jabez Stone: I know. But suppose a man got his money in bad ways? Ma Stone: Wouldn't profit him none. You see, son: I'm old and I've lived. When a man gets his money in bad way... when he sees the better course and takes the worse... then the devil's in his heart. And that fixes him. Jabez Stone: And yet... a man could change all that couldn't he? Ma Stone: A man can always change things. That's what makes him different from the barnyard critters.

Dialogue

Daniel Webster: How long do we have to wait? Jabez Stone: 'Til midnight. Daniel Webster: Oh, that's fine - then we have time to christen a jug. Old Medford rum: aahh, there's nothing like it. You know, somehow or other, waiting becomes wonderfully shorter with a jug. I saw an inchworm once take a drop of this and he stood right up on his hind legs and bit a bee! [chuckles and takes a drink] Will you have a nip? Jabez Stone: No, there's no joy in it for me. Daniel Webster: Oh, come, come now. Just because you sold your soul to the devil that needn't make you a teetotaler.

Dialogue

Daniel Webster: This appears - mind you, I say appears - to be properly drawn. But you shan't have this man. A man isn't a piece of property. Mr. Stone is an American citizen... and an American citizen cannot be forced into the service of a foreign prince. Mr. Scratch: Foreign? Who calls me a foreigner? Daniel Webster: Well, I never heard of the de... I never heard of you claiming American citizenship. Mr. Scratch: And who has a better right? When the first wrong was done to the first Indian, I was there. When the first slaver put out for the Congo, I stood on the deck. Am I not still spoken of in every church in New England? It's true the North claims me for a Southerner and the South for a Northerner, but I'm neither. Tell the truth, Mr. Webster - though I don't like to boast of it - my name is older in the country than yours. Daniel Webster: Then I stand on the Constitution. I demand a trial for my client. Mr. Scratch: You mean a jury trial? Daniel Webster: I do! And if I can't win

Dialogue

Mr. Scratch: You shall have your trial, Mr. Webster. But I'm sure you'll agree, this is hardly the case for an ordinary jury. Daniel Webster: Let it be the quick or the dead, so long as it is an American judge and an American jury! Mr. Scratch: 'The quick or the dead!' You have said it. [he stomps on the barn floor; a door opens] You must pardon the leathery toughness of one or two. Jabez Stone: [afraid] Mr. Webster! Mr. Scratch: Captain Kidd, he killed men for gold. Simon Girty, the renegade; he burned men for gold. Governor Dale, he broke men on the wheel. Asa, the Black Monk, he choked them to death. Floyd Ireson and Stede Bonnet, the fiendish butchers. Walter Butler, the king of the massacre. Big and Little Harpe, robbers and murderers. Teach, the cutthroat. Morton, the vicious lawyer. And General Benedict Arnold, you remember him, no doubt. Daniel Webster: A jury of the damned. Mr. Scratch: [laughs] Dastards, liars, traitors, knaves. Daniel Webster: This is monstrous. Mr. Scratch:

Dialogue

Jabez Stone: What do you have on your mind? Daniel Webster: You, Jabez Stone. You and a lot of poor farmers hereabouts... all good men of the earth and in trouble because of you. Or am I wrong about those contracts? Jabez Stone: Without me and my money they wouldn't have anything. Daniel Webster: They'd have a good neighbor - and that's worth more than anything else... much, much more.

Dialogue

Daniel Webster: What are you looking for, Colonel? What's your name? Martin Van Buren Aldrich: Martin Van Buren Aldrich. My pa is the only Democrat in Cross Corners. He said you had horns and a tail, Mr. Webster, but I ain't seen them yet. Daniel Webster: [laughs] You see, Martin, I only wear them when I'm in Washington. That's the trouble. But if you ever get down there, I'll be glad to show them to you. Martin Van Buren Aldrich: Gee, would you, Mr. Webster? Honest? Daniel Webster: Of course! And you tell your father for me, that we may be on opposite sides of the fence, but I'm always glad to hear of a man who holds to his own opinion. As long as the people do that, this country is all right.

Dialogue

Daniel Webster: Oh, it's you again. What do you want? Mr. Scratch: Well, with the presidential election coming up, I thought I could be of some help, sir. Daniel Webster: I'd rather see you on the side of the opposition. Mr. Scratch: Oh, I'll be there, too.