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

In a certain sense, and to a certain extent, he [the president] is the representative of the people. He is elected by them, as well as congress is. But can he, in the nature [of] things, know the wants of the people, as well as three hundred other men, coming from all the various localities of the nation? If so, where is the propriety of having a congress?

I have endured a great deal of ridicule without much malice; and have received a great deal of kindness, not quite free from ridicule. I am used to it.

As a peacemaker the lawyer has superior opportunity of being a good man.

The people know their rights, and they are never slow to assert and maintain them, when they are invaded.

The Bible is not my book nor Christianity my profession. I could never give assent to the long, complicated statements of Christian dogma.

We cannot ask a man what he will do, and if we should, and he should answer us, we should despise him for it. Therefore we must take a man whose opinions are known.