Quote collection
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"Among many other weighty objections to the Measure, it has been suggested, that it has a tendency to introduce religious disputes into the Army, which above all things should be avoided, and in many instances would compel men to a mode of Worship which they do not profess."
"The fundamental principle of our constitution ... enjoins the sense of command, duty that the will of the majority shall prevail."
"We ought to deprecate the hazard attending ardent and susceptible minds, from being too strongly, and too early prepossessed in favor of other political systems, before they are capable of appreciating their own."
"Be not forward, but friendly and courteous; the first to salute, hear and answer; and be not pensive when it is time to converse."
"We beseech [God] to pardon our national and other transgressions."
"Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty."
"[T]he hour is fast approaching, on which the Honor and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend. Remember officers and Soldiers, that you are Freemen, fighting for the blessings of Liberty - that slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves like men."
"Lenity will operate with greater force, in some instances, than rigor. It is, therefore, my first wish, to have my whole conduct distinguished by it."
"Let us therefore rely on the goodness of the cause, and the aid of the supreme Being, in whose hands victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble actions."
"Be courteous to all, but personal with number of, and allow those couple be perfectly attempted ahead of you provide them with your self-assurance."
"I am principled against selling negroes, as you would do cattle at a market."
"Experience has taught us that men will not adopt and carry into execution measures the best calculated for their own good without the intervention of a coercive power."
"Patience is a noble virtue, and, when rightly exercised, does not fail of its reward."
"Every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more, that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome."
"Even the country's first president chafed at the limits placed on him by the writers of the U.S. Constitution. From the nature of the Constitution, ... I must approve all the parts of a bill, or reject it in toto."
"Let no one go hungry away. If any of the kind of people should be in want of corn, supply their necessities, provided it does not encourage them in idleness."
"The best and only safe road to honor, glory, and true dignity is justice."
"It is one of the evils of democratical governments, that the people, not always seeing and frequently misled, must often feel before they can act."
"It is at all times more easy to make enemies than friends."
"The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish government presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established government."