No day should be lived unless it was begun with a prayer of thankfulness and an intercession for guidance.

Ideas are easy to conceive, less easy to execute.

Death, in its silent sure march is fast gathering those whom I have longest loved, so that when he shall knock at my door, I will more willingly follow.

With all my devotion to the Union, and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relative, my children, my home. I have, therefore, resigned my commission in the Army.

I can anticipate no greater calamity for the country than the dissolution of the Union. It would be an accumulation of all the evils we complain of, and I am willing to sacrifice everything but honor for its preservation.

Marry...into a family that will enable your children to feel proud of both sides of the house.

We failed, but in the good providence of God apparent failure often proves a blessing.