Smalls identified with the Republican Party, saying it was "The Party of Lincoln which unshackled the necks of four million human beings."
In one of his campaign speeches, Robert said, "Every colored man who has a vote to cast, would cast that vote for the regular Republican Party and thus bury the Democratic Party so deep that there will not be seen even a bubble coming from the spot where the burial took place."
Later in life Smalls recalled, "I can never lose sight of the fact that had it not been for the Republican Party, I would have never been an office-holder of any kind ~from 1862~ to present."
"My race needs no special defense, for the past history of them in this country proves them to be equal of any people anywhere. All they need is an equal chance in the battle of life." Representative Robert Smalls said.
As astonished Union officers boarded the Planter, Smalls stood at attention, saluted, and spoke: “I am delivering this war material including these cannons and I think Uncle Abraham Lincoln can put them to good use.” (Student Note- what Smalls said to get through the 4 confederate checkpoints to freedom during the great boat escape)
On May 13, Smalls to spoke with Admiral Du Pont, who afterwards wrote to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles that "this man, Robert Smalls, is superior to any who has yet come into our lines, intelligent as many of them have been. His information has been most interesting, and portions of it of utmost importance. … I shall continue to employ Robert as a pilot on board The Planter for inland waters. "