Who said “These capitalists generally act harmoniously and in concert, to fleece the people.”?

Verified

Abraham Lincoln. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceSpeech to Illinois legislature (January 1837); This is "Lincoln's First Reported Speech", found in the Sangamo Journal (28 January 1837) according to McClure's Magazine (March 1896); also in Lincoln's Complete Works (1905) ed. by Nicolay and Hay, Vol. 1, p. 24

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“These capitalists generally act harmoniously and in concert, to fleece the people.”
VerifiedSpeech to Illinois legislature (January 1837); This is "Lincoln's First Reported Speech", found in the Sangamo Journal (28 January 1837) according to McClure's Magazine (March 1896); also in Lincoln's Complete Works (1905) ed. by Nicolay and Hay, Vol. 1, p. 24 · evidenceCapitalism

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Speech to Illinois legislature (January 1837); This is "Lincoln's First Reported Speech", found in the Sangamo Journal (28 January 1837) according to McClure's Magazine (March 1896); also in Lincoln's Complete Works (1905) ed. by Nicolay and Hay, Vol. 1, p. 24.

APA

Lincoln, A. (n.d.). These capitalists generally act harmoniously and in concert, to fleece the people. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/4554-these-capitalists-generally-act-harmoniously-and-in-concert/

MLA

Lincoln, Abraham. “These capitalists generally act harmoniously and in concert, to fleece the people.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/4554-these-capitalists-generally-act-harmoniously-and-in-concert/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Lincoln, Abraham. “These capitalists generally act harmoniously and in concert, to fleece the people.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/4554-these-capitalists-generally-act-harmoniously-and-in-concert/.