I am of the opinion that all who can should vote for the most intelligent, honest, and conscientious men eligible to office, irrespective of former party opinions, who will endeavour to make the new constitutions and the laws passed under them as beneficial as possible to the true interests, prosperity, and liberty of all classes and conditions of the people.

Read history, works of truth, not novels and romances

I believe it to be the duty of everyone to unite in the restoration of the country and the reestablishment of peace and harmony.

Whither shall I flee? To no country on earth that I know of where there is as much liberty as yet remains to me even in Virginia.

A Union that can only be maintained by swords and bayonets, and in which strife and civil war are to take the place of brotherly love and kindness, has no charm for me.

Duty is the sublimest work in the English language.

I believe I may so, looking into my own heart, and speaking as in the presence of God, that I have never know one moment of bitterness or resentment.