Category: Quote of the Day

Now, as to the young men. You must not wait to be brought forward by the older men. For instance, do you suppose that I should have ever got into notice if I had waited to be hunted up and pushed forward by older men?”– Letter to William H. Herndon, July 22,1848

No policy that does not rest upon philosophical public opinion can be permanently maintained.”– Speech at New Haven, March 6, 1860

No man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent. I say this is the leading principle – the sheet anchor of American republicanism.”– Speech at Peoria, October 16, 1854

My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save… Continue reading Quote of the Day 8f

Most governments have been based, practically, on the denial of equal rights of men … ours began, by affirming those rights. They said, some men are too ignorant, and vicious, to share in government. Possibly so, said we; and, by your system, you would always keep them ignorant, and vicious. We proposed to give all… Continue reading Quote of the Day 7f

Men who, by fighting our battles, bear the chief burthen of saving our country.”– Letter to Montgomery Blair, July 24, 1863, July 24, 1863

Men are not flattered by being shown that there has been a difference of purpose between the Almighty and them.”– Letter to Thurlow Weed, March 15, 1865

May our children and our children’s children for a thousand generations continue to enjoy the benefits conferred upon us by a united country and have cause yet to rejoice under those glorious institutions bequeathed us by Washington and his compeers!”– Remarks at Frederick, October 4, 1862

Let us neither express nor cherish any hard feelings toward any citizen who by his vote has differed with us. Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in the bonds of fraternal feeling.”– Remarks at Springfield, November 20, 1860

Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.”– Cooper Institute Address, February 27, 1860