In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. The government will not assail you.... You have no oath registered in Heaven to destroy the government, while I shall have the most solemn one to preserve, protect and defend it.
Abraham LincolnOh, that [his Thanksgiving Message] is some of Seward's nonsense, and it pleases the fools.
Abraham LincolnCling to liberty and right; battle fro them; leed for them; die for them, if need be; and have confidence in God.
Abraham LincolnWhen we were the political slaves of King George, and wanted to be free, we called the maxim that "all men are created equal" a self evident truth; but now when we have grown fat, and have lost all dread of being slaves ourselves, we have become so greedy to be masters that we call the same maxim "a self evident lie" The fourth of July has not quite dwindled away; it is still a great day-for burning fire-crackers!!!
Abraham Lincoln