If blacks were given the right to vote, that would place every splay-footed, bandy-shanked, hump-backed, thick-lipped, flat-nosed, woolly-headed, ebon-colored in the country upon an equality with the poor white man.

If the rabble were lopped off at one end and the aristocrat at the other, all would be well with the country.

I hold it the duty of the executive to insist upon frugality in the expenditure, and a sparing economy is itself a great national source.

The goal to strive for is a poor government but a rich people.

I have been almost overwhelmed by the announcement of the sad event [Lincoln's assassination] which has so recently occurred. I feel incompetent to perform duties so important and responsible as those which have been so unexpectedly thrown upon me.

Legislation can neither be wise nor just which seeks the welfare of a single interest at the expense and to the injury of many and varied interests.

Whenever you hear a man prating about the Constitution, spot him as a traitor.