As long as our government is administered for the good of the people, and is regulated by their will; as long as it secures to us the rights of persons and of property, liberty of conscience and of the press, it will be worth defending.

Peace, above all things, is to be desired, but blood must sometimes be spilled to obtain it on equable and lasting terms.

No one need think that the world can be ruled without blood. The civil sword shall and must be red and bloody.

The wisdom of man never yet contrived a system of taxation that would operate with perfect equality.

Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.

It was settled by the Constitution, the laws, and the whole practice of the government that the entire executive power is vested in the President of the United States.

Never take counsel of your fears.

The brave man inattentive to his duty, is worth little more to his country than the coward who deserts in the hour of danger.

There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses.