In using the strong hand, as now compelled to do, the government has a difficult duty to perform. At the very best, it will by turns do both too little and too much. It can properly have no motive of revenge, no purpose to punish merely for punishment's sake. While we must, by all available means, prevent the overthrow of the government, we should avoid planting and cultivating too many thorns in the bosom of society.

The greatest lessons I have every learned were at my mother's knees... All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.

Never do anything for anyone who can just as well do it themself

I sincerely wish war was a pleasanter and easier business than it is, but it does not admit of holidays.

If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend.

Our strife pertains to ourselves-to the passing generations of men-and it can without convulsion be hushed forever with the passing of one generation.

Honest statesmanship is the wise employment of individual meanness for the public good.