What has ever threatened our liberty and prosperity save and except this institution of Slavery?
Abraham LincolnI claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me. Now, at the end of three years struggle the nation's condition is not what either party, or any man devised, or expected. God alone can claim it. Whither it is tending seems plain. If God now wills the removal of a great wrong, and wills also that we of the North as well as you of the South, shall pay fairly for our complicity in that wrong, impartial history will find therein new cause to attest and revere the justice and goodness of God.
Abraham Lincoln...I am exceedingly anxious that this Union, the Constitution, and the liberties of the people shall be perpetuated in accordance with the original idea for which that struggle was made, and I shall be most happy indeed if I shall be an humble instrument in the hands of the Almighty, and of this, his almost chosen people, for perpetuating the object of that great struggle.
Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln was asked by an aide about the church service he had attended. Lincoln responded that the minister was inspired, interesting, well-prepared, eloquent and the topic relevant. The aide said, โThen it was a good service?โ Lincoln responded, โNo.โ The aide protested, โBut, Mr. President, you said that the minister was inspired, interesting, well-prepared, eloquent, and that the topic was relevant.โ โYes,โ replied Lincoln, โbut he didnโt challenge us to do any great thing.
Abraham Lincoln