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

Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.

If the union of these States, and the liberties of this people, shall be lost, it is but little to any one man of fifty-two yearsof age, but a great deal to the thirty millions of people who inhabit these United States, and to their posterity in all coming time.

As a general rule never take your whole fee in advance, nor any more than a small retainer. When fully paid beforehand, you are more than a common mortal if you can feel the same interest in the case, as if something was still in prospect for you, as well as for your client.

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.

you can't escape tomorrow's responsibilities by evading it today

You know I dislike slavery; and you fully admit the abstract wrong of it.