It is the desire of the good people of the whole country that sectionalism as a factor in our politics should disappear.

To vote is like the payment of a debt, a duty never to be neglected, if its performance is possible.

The bold enterprises are the successful ones. Take counsel of hopes rather than of fears to win in this business.

Crimes increase as education, opportunity, and property decrease. Whatever spreads ignorance, poverty and, discontent causes crime.... Criminals have their own responsibility, their own share of guilt, but they are merely the hand.... Whoever interferes with equal rights and equal opportunities is in some real degree, responsible for the crimes committed in the community.

I am a freeman and jolly as a beggar.

For character, to prepare for the inevitable I recommend selections from [Ralph Waldo] Emerson. His writings have done for me far more than all other reading.

I regard the inflation acts as wrong in all ways. Personally I am one of the noble army of debtors, and can stand it if others can. But it is a wretched business.