A pack of jackasses led by a lion is superior to a pack of lions led by a jackass.

Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence . . . the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake.

To expect ... the same service from raw and undisciplined recruits, as from veteran soldiers, is to expect what never did and perhaps never will happen. Men, who are familiarized to danger, meet it without shrinking; whereas troops unused to service often apprehend danger where no danger is.

Government is at best a petulant servant and at worst a tyrannical master.

Not only do I pray for it, on the score of human dignity, but I can clearly forsee that nothing but the rooting out of slavery can perpetuate the existence of our union, by consolidating it in a common bond of principle.

Should any American soldier be so base and infamous as to injure any Canadian or Indian in his person or property, I do most earnestly enjoin you to bring him to such severe and exemplary punishment, as the enormity of the crime may require. Should it extend to death itself, it shall not be disproportioned to its guilt, at such a time and in such a cause.

A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.