No peace can last, or ought to last, which does not recognize and accept the principle that governments derive all their just powers from the consent of the governed, and that no right anywhere exists to hand peoples from sovereignty to sovereignty as if they were property.

But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts

I am not one of those who believe that a great standing army is the means of maintaining peace, because if you build up a great profession those who form parts of it want to exercise their profession.

There is a power somewhere so organized, so subtle, so watchful, so interlocked, so complete, so pervasive, that they had better not speak above their breath when they speak in condemnation of it.

We shall fight for a universal dominion of right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world itself at last free.

What we seek is the reign of law, based upon the consent of the governed and sustained by the organized opinion of mankind.

We ought to regard ourselves and to act as socialists--believers in the wholesomeness and beneficence of the body politic.