We want, and must have, a national policy, as to slavery, which deals with it as being wrong.

Marriage is neither heaven nor hell, it is simply purgatory.

When the white man governs himself, that is self-government; but when he governs himself and also governs another man, that is more than self-government-that is despotism.

And, inasmuch [as] most good things are produced by labour, it follows that all such things of right belong to those whose labour has produced them. But it has so happened in all ages of the world, that some have laboured, and others have, without labour, enjoyed a large proportion of the fruits. This is wrong, and should not continue. To [secure] to each labourer the whole product of his labour, or as nearly as possible, is a most worthy object of any good government.

Nevertheless, amid the greatest difficulties of my Administration, when I could not see any other resort, I would place my whole reliance on God, knowing that all would go well, and that He would decide for the right.

A tendancy to melancholy...let it be observed, is a misfortune, not a fault.

I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.