--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The fact is the constitution did not…" description: "\"“The fact is the constitution did not apply to any such contingency as the one existing from 1861 to 1865. Its framers never dreamed of such a continge..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50d/ulysses-s-grant-1793_constitution_the-fact-is-the-constitution-did-not-app_145074.jpg" --- # The fact is the constitution did not apply to any such… ![“The fact is the constitution did not apply to any such contingency as the one existing from 1861 to 1865. Its framers never dreamed of such a contingency occurring. If they had foreseen it, the probabilities are they would have sanctioned the right of a State or States to withdraw rather than that…” quote by Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50d/ulysses-s-grant-1793_constitution_the-fact-is-the-constitution-did-not-app_145074.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50d/ulysses-s-grant-1793_constitution_the-fact-is-the-constitution-did-not-app_145074.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50d/ulysses-s-grant-1793_constitution_the-fact-is-the-constitution-did-not-app_145074.jpg) > ““The fact is the constitution did not apply to any such contingency as the one existing from 1861 to 1865. Its framers never dreamed of such a contingency occurring. If they had foreseen it, the probabilities are they would have sanctioned the right of a State or States to withdraw rather than that there should be war between brothers.”” [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Constitution lacked provisions for civil war; framers couldn’t foresee such a conflict, suggesting flexibility is needed for unforeseen crises. **In simple terms:** Founders didn’t plan for a brother‑against‑brother war. Key Takeaway Adapt laws for unexpected events. Themes law history political theory Mood analytical thoughtful Type historical political When to use this quote - legal reform - historical analysis - policy planning Key Concepts constitutional rigidity war state sovereignty Questions to Reflect On - Should modern constitutions include emergency clauses? - How can flexibility be balanced with stability? A Different Perspective Rigid constitutions can hinder rapid response. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [The fact that the Constitution is sufficiently open-ended to infuriate all Americans almost equally is part of its enduring genius.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dahlia-lithwick/the-fact-that-the-constitution-is-sufficiently-open-ended-to/) [Dahlia Lithwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dahlia-lithwick/) > [...one Greek city state had a fundamental law: anyone proposing revisions to the constitution did so with a noose around his neck. If his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/one-greek-city-state-had-a-fundamental-law-anyone-proposing-revisions/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [At no time, at no place in solemn convention assembled, through no chosen agents, had the American people officially proclaimed the United States to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-a-beard/at-no-time-at-no-place-in-solemn-convention-assembled-through-no/) [Charles A. Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-a-beard/) > ['We the People' established the Constitution. Did we really do so to somehow keep ourselves out of the decision making. Are we only wise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-jacob/we-the-people-established-the-constitution-did-we-really-do-so-to/) [Paul Jacob](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-jacob/) > [“The Constitution of 1787, under which we still live, was made by a small class to further the interests of that class. The gentlemen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-constitution-of-1787-under-which-we-still-live-was-made-by-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [That which brought me into the capacity I now stand in, was the Petition and Advice given me by you, who, in reference to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-cromwell/that-which-brought-me-into-the-capacity-i-now-stand-in-was-the/) [Oliver Cromwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-cromwell/) > [The Constitution did not mention women when it was first written, and it still doesn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/the-constitution-did-not-mention-women-when-it-was-first-written-and/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [“Pissed off by the lies, misrepresentations, and outright horseshit, I decided it was time to strike back. It was time to reclaim the Constitution.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-asner/pissed-off-by-the-lies-misrepresentations-and-outright-horseshit-i/) [Ed Asner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-asner/) > [When I left Kentucky at age 18 to attend the U.S. Naval Academy and lifted my right hand to swear the oath to defend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-mcgrath/when-i-left-kentucky-at-age-18-to-attend-the-u-s-naval-academy-and/) [Amy McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-mcgrath/) > [Although Britain has, since 1653, had nothing approaching a single, codified constitution, it did for a very long time possess a broad cult of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-colley/although-britain-has-since-1653-had-nothing-approaching-a-single/) [Linda Colley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-colley/) > [“The constitution did indeed guarantee freedom of speech, but the laws punished anything that could be considered an attack on state security”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-constitution-did-indeed-guarantee-freedom-of-speech-but-the-laws/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [Well, today, we are in the struggle brought on to us by the terrorists of Islam. It is a war that we did not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-tiahrt/well-today-we-are-in-the-struggle-brought-on-to-us-by-the-terrorists/) [Todd Tiahrt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-tiahrt/) > [The Constitution is very clear on the - on the declaration of war or reacting to international crimes - crimes against nations. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pitts/the-constitution-is-very-clear-on-the-on-the-declaration-of-war-or/) Joe Pitts > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## More by Ulysses S. Grant > [“In the early days of the country, before we had railroads, telegraphs and steamboats—in a word, rapid transit of any sort—the States were each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/in-the-early-days-of-the-country-before-we-had-railroads-telegraphs/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“The much talked of surrendering of Lee’s sword and my handing it back, this and much more that has been said about it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/the-much-talked-of-surrendering-of-lee-s-sword-and-my-handing-it-back/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“General Lee was dressed in a full uniform which was entirely new, and was wearing a sword of considerable value, very likely the sword…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/general-lee-was-dressed-in-a-full-uniform-which-was-entirely-new-and/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“The great bulk of the legal voters of the South were men who owned no slaves; their homes were generally in the hills and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/the-great-bulk-of-the-legal-voters-of-the-south-were-men-who-owned-no/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [If we are to have another contest in the near future of our national existence, I predict that the dividing line will not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/if-we-are-to-have-another-contest-in-the-near-future-of-our-national/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [...but for a soldier his duty is plain. He is to obey the orders of all those placed over him and whip the enemy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/but-for-a-soldier-his-duty-is-plain-he-is-to-obey-the-orders-of-all/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“I was afraid, every morning, that I would awake from my sleep to hear that Lee had gone, and that nothing was left but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/i-was-afraid-every-morning-that-i-would-awake-from-my-sleep-to-hear/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“The efforts to kill off politically the two successful generals, made them both candidates for the Presidency. General Taylor was nominated in 1848, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/the-efforts-to-kill-off-politically-the-two-successful-generals-made/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [Hold fast to the Bible. To the influence of this Book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/hold-fast-to-the-bible-to-the-influence-of-this-book-we-are-indebted/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [It was my fortune, or misfortune, to be called to the office of Chief Executive without any previous political training.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/it-was-my-fortune-or-misfortune-to-be-called-to-the-office-of-chief/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [No other terms than unconditional and immediate surrender. I propose to move immediately upon your works.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/no-other-terms-than-unconditional-and-immediate-surrender-i-propose/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [I would suggest the taxation of all property equally whether church or corporation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/i-would-suggest-the-taxation-of-all-property-equally-whether-church/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [I know only two tunes: one of them is 'Yankee Doodle,' and the other isn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/i-know-only-two-tunes-one-of-them-is-yankee-doodle-and-the-other-isn-t/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“I could have allowed myself more time. I have used my best efforts, with the aid of my eldest son, F. D. Grant, assisted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/i-could-have-allowed-myself-more-time-i-have-used-my-best-efforts/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [I will raid the arsenal and start a war to end slavery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/i-will-raid-the-arsenal-and-start-a-war-to-end-slavery/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) [Explore all 208 Ulysses S. Grant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) ## More Constitution quotes > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [While not widely reported, our victories in Iraq are plentiful. National elections, a democratic parliament and the drafting of a constitution are just some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gillmor/while-not-widely-reported-our-victories-in-iraq-are-plentiful/) [Paul Gillmor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gillmor/) > [In a recent decision of the Supreme Court, not made, however, by the full court, and concurred in by only four justices, it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bates-clark/in-a-recent-decision-of-the-supreme-court-not-made-however-by-the/) [John Bates Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bates-clark/) > [The judiciary must not take on the coloration of whatever may be popular at the moment. We are guardian of rights, and we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-bird/the-judiciary-must-not-take-on-the-coloration-of-whatever-may-be/) [Rose Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-bird/) > [There is not a revolution that succe Women are suffering because they are being excluded. The high military council excluded women from the committee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nawal-el-saadawi/there-is-not-a-revolution-that-succe-women-are-suffering-because-they/) [Nawal El Saadawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nawal-el-saadawi/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [“The Court has a special responsibility to ensure that the Constitution works in practice. While education, including the transmission of our civic values from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-breyer/the-court-has-a-special-responsibility-to-ensure-that-the/) [Stephen Breyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-breyer/) > [The Constitution is very clear on the - on the declaration of war or reacting to international crimes - crimes against nations. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pitts/the-constitution-is-very-clear-on-the-on-the-declaration-of-war-or/) Joe Pitts > [Nothing from man's hands, nor law, nor constitution, can be final. Truth alone is final.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-sumner/nothing-from-man-s-hands-nor-law-nor-constitution-can-be-final-truth/) [Charles Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-sumner/) > [“I am apprehensive, Sir, that in the warmth of my feelings, I may have uttered expressions, which were too vehement. If such has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/i-am-apprehensive-sir-that-in-the-warmth-of-my-feelings-i-may-have/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Conservative political opinion in America cleaves to the tradition of the judge as passive interpreter, believing that his absolute loyalty to authoritative law is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/learned-hand/conservative-political-opinion-in-america-cleaves-to-the-tradition-of/) [Learned Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/learned-hand/) [Browse all 4,507 Constitution quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The fact is the constitution did not apply to any such contingency as the one existing from 1861 to 1865. Its framers never dreamed of such a contingency occurring. If they had foreseen it, the probabilities are they would have sanctioned the right of a State or States to withdraw rather than that there should be war between brothers.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ulysses S. Grant" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/the-fact-is-the-constitution-did-not-apply-to-any-such-contingency-as/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Constitution" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/the-fact-is-the-constitution-did-not-apply-to-any-such-contingency-as/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50d/ulysses-s-grant-1793_constitution_the-fact-is-the-constitution-did-not-app_145074.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50d/ulysses-s-grant-1793_constitution_the-fact-is-the-constitution-did-not-app_145074.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50d/ulysses-s-grant-1793_constitution_the-fact-is-the-constitution-did-not-app_145074.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The fact is the constitution did not apply to any such contingency as the one existing from 1861 to 1865…” — Ulysses S. Grant", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ulysses S. Grant", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The fact is the constitution did...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/the-fact-is-the-constitution-did-not-apply-to-any-such-contingency-as/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/the-fact-is-the-constitution-did-not-apply-to-any-such-contingency-as/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```