I believe each individual is naturally entitled to do as he pleases with himself and the fruit of his labor, so far as it in no wise interferes with any other mans rightsthat each community, as a State, has a right to do exactly as it pleases with all the concerns within that State that interfere with the right of no other State, and that the general government, upon principle, has no right to interfere with anything other than that general class of things that does concern the whole.

I can make brigadier generals, but i can't make horses.

We can not have free government without elections; and if the rebellion could force us to forego, or postpone a national election it might fairly claim to have already conquered and ruined us.

In the present civil war it is quite possible that God's purpose is something different from the purpose of either party.

No man has a right to judge Andrew Johnson in any respect who has not suffered as much and done as much as he for the Nation's sake.

in times like the present, men should utter nothing for which they would not willingly be responsible through time and eternity.

The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present.