I never meet a ragged boy in the street without feeling that i may owe him a salute, for I know not what possibilities may be buttoned up under his coat.

The President is the last person in the world to know what the people really want and think.

Heroes did not make our liberties; they but reflected and illustrated them.

A nation is not worthy to be saved if, in the hour of its fate, it will not gather up all its jewels of manhood and life, and go down into the conflict however bloody and doubtful, resolved on measureless ruin or complete success.

The men who succeed best in public life are those who take the risk of standing by their own convictions.

Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption.

..remember that under our institutions there was no middle ground for the negro race between slavery and equal citizenship.