Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Pierre Watkin: Senate Minority Leader

Quotes 

• Jefferson Smith : I always get a great kick out of that part of the Declaration of Independence. You're not gonna have a country where these kind of rules work, if you haven't got men that have learned to tell human rights from a punch in the nose.

  [applause from the gallery] 

  Jefferson Smith : It's a funny thing about men. They all start out being boys. I wouldn't be surprised if some of these Senators were boys once. That's why it seemed like a pretty good idea to get boys out of the crowded cities and stuffy basements for a couple of months out of the year. Build their bodies and minds for a man-sized job. Those boys will be sitting behind these desks some day. Yes, it seemed like a pretty good idea - boys from all over the country, of all nationalities and ways of life, getting together and finding out what makes different people tick the way they do. Because I wouldn't give you two cents for all your fancy rules if, behind them, they didn't have a little bit of plain, ordinary, everyday kindness... and a little looking out for the other fella, too. That's pretty important, all that. It's just the blood, bone and sinew of this democracy that some great men handed down to the human race, that's all! But, of course, if you've got to build a dam where a boys' camp ought to be to get some graft to pay off some political army or something, why that's different!

  [suddenly, with strength] 

  Jefferson Smith : No, sir! If you think I'll go back and tell those boys in my state, "Forget it, fellas. Everything I've told you about the land you live in is a lot of hooey. It isn't your country - it belongs to the James Taylors!" Not me! Anybody who thinks that has got another think coming!

  [Jeff notices that none of the senators are really listening to him; he sharply whistles, startling the room of men out of their apathy] 

  Jefferson Smith : That's all right. I just wanted to see whether you still had faces.

  [laughter from the gallery] 

  Jefferson Smith : I'm sorry, gentlemen. I know I'm being disrespectful to this honorable body. A guy like me should never be allowed here in the first place! I hate to stand here and try your patience but... EITHER I'M DEAD RIGHT OR I'M CRAZY!

  Senate Minority Leader, Barnes : You wouldn't care to put that to a vote, would you, Senator?

  [this time, the Senators laugh] 

• Senate Minority Leader, Barnes : [Watches as Smith reads a note passed to him from the gallery]  Does the gentleman wish to yield?

  Jefferson Smith : Yield? Oh, no. I feel fine! The Constitution of the United States!

  [Barnes throws both hands high in the air, turns away from Smith, then brings his arms down hard on his desk in frustration]