For it has been said, all that a man hath will he give for his life; and while all contribute of their substance the soldier puts his life at stake, and often yields it up in his country's cause. The highest merit, then is due to the soldier.

No one has needed favours more than I, and generally, few have been less unwilling to accept them; but in this case, favour to me,would be injustice to the public, and therefore I must beg your pardon for declining it.

You are green, it is true; but they are green also. You are all green alike.

All my life I have tried to pluck a thistle and plant a flower wherever the flower would grow in thought and mind.

I shall adopt new views as fast as they shall appear to be true views.

Must a government be too strong for the liberties of its people or too weak to maintain its own existence?

That we we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.