Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.

Of our political revolution of '76, we all are justly proud. It has given us a degree of political freedom, far exceeding that of any other nation of the earth. In it the world has found a solution of the long mooted problem, as to the capability of man to govern himself. In it was the germ which has vegetated, and still is to grow and expand into the universal liberty of mankind.

The strongest bond of human sympathy outside the family relation should be one uniting working people of all nations and tongues and kindreds.

I have simply tried to do what seemed best each day, as each day came.

I shall not do more than I can, and I shall do all I can to save the government, which is my sworn duty as well as my personal inclination. I shall do nothing in malice. What I deal with is too vast for malicious dealing.

I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.

I don't know who my grandfather was; I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be.