I have reached the summit of my ambition.

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.

Tyranny and despotism can be exercised by many, more rigorously, more vigorously, and more severely, than by one.

I feel incompetent to perform duties...which have been so unexpectedly thrown upon me.

I realized, there are people out there who can beat me, want to beat me. And unless I continue to innovate and evolve, I am going to learn a painful lesson from someone who has.

There are no good laws but such as repeal other laws.

For myself, I care not whether treason be committed North or South; he that is guilty of treason is entitled to a traitor's fate!