We should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it.

Kings had always been involving and impoverishing their people in wars, pretending generally, if not always, that the good of the people was the object

We hoped for a happy termination of this terrible war long before this; but God knows best, and has ruled otherwise. We shall yet acknowledge His wisdom and our own error therein.

By all means, don't say, "if I can," say "I will."

There' s nothing good in war. Except its ending.

So viewing the issue, no choice was left but to call out the war power of the Government; and so to resist force, employed for its destruction, by force, for its preservation.

I ... ran for Legislature [in 1832] ... and was beaten-the only time I have been beaten by the people.