"I do not subscribe to the doctrine that the people are the slaves and property of their government. I believe that government is for the use of the people, and not the people for the use of the government"

This quote by Gerrit Smith talks to the idea of federal government being a tool for the people, instead of individuals being a tool for the federal government. Smith is declining the idea that the people are the slaves and home of their federal government, and instead thinks that the government needs to be used to serve the individuals. This concept remains in line with the principle of democracy, where the people are the supreme authority and the government exists to serve their needs. Smith's quote is a tip that the government ought to be responsible to individuals, and that individuals should not go through the whims of the government. It is a require individuals to take control of their federal government and to make sure that it is working for them, instead of versus them.