Let us labor for the security of free thought, free speech, pure morals, unfettered religious sentiments, and equal rights and privileges for all men, irrespective of nationality, color, or religion;.... leave the matter of religious teaching to the family altar, the church, and the private school, supported entirely by private contribution. Keep church and state forever separate.

There never was a time when, in my opinion, some way could not be found to prevent the drawing of the sword.

I never knew what to do with a paper except to put it in a side pocket or pass it to a clerk who understood it better than I did.

Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your hearts, and practice them in your lives.

The long-continued and useful public service and eminent purity of character of the deceased ex-President will be remembered.

...I never heard him abuse an enemy. Some of the cruel things said about President Lincoln, particularly in the North, used to pierce him to the heart; but never in my presence did he evince a revengeful disposition.

The cause of the great War of the Rebellion against the United Status will have to be attributed to slavery.