We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown.

We believe that the spreading out and perpetuity of the institution of slavery impairs the general welfare. We believe - nay, we know, that that is the only thing that has ever threatened the perpetuity of the Union itself.

Don't judge a man by the size of his ego or his heart, but on the epicness of his beard and the beautiful woman on his arm

There is really no crisis except an artificial one...If the great American people will only keep their temper, on both sides of the line, the trouble will come to an end.

Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others.

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.

The Bible is not my book and Christianity is not my religion. I could never give assent to the long complicated statements of Christian dogma.