on the rock of the Declaration of Independence and the gates of hell shall not be able to prevail against us.

226

(October 16, 1854, Speech at Peoria, Ill., concerning fusion-Barrett, p. 127.)

Stand with anybody that stands right, stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong.

MISCELLANY-WAR, PEACE, TEMPER

ANCE, EMANCIPATION.

227

(1856, Brief Address to Springfield Abolitionists-Irelan, Vol. XVII, p. 683.)

Friends: I agree with you in providence, but I believe in the providence of the most men,-the longest purse and the largest cannon.

228

(April 4, 1864, Letter to Hodges-Barrett, p. 481.)

I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me.

229

(December 1, 1862, Annual Message-Van Buren, p. 233.) In times like the present, men should utter nothing for which they would not willingly be responsible through time and in eternity.

230

(December 20, 1839, Speech at Springfield, Ill.-Complete Works, Vol. I, p. 26.)

What has once happened will invariably happen again when the same circumstances which combined to produce it shall again combine in the same way.

161

231

(March 9, 1832, Address to the People of Sangamon County, Ill.-Irelan, Vol. XVI, p. 102.)

Holding it a sound maxim that it is better only sometimes to be right than at all times wrong, so soon as I discover my opinions to be erroneous I shall be ready to renounce them.

232

(March 1, 1864, Letter to Secretary Stanton-Complete Works, Vol. II, p. 490.)

I do not like this punishment of withholding pay: it falls so very hard on poor families.

233

(February 5, 1864, Note to Secretary of War-Complete Works, Vol. II, p. 478.)

On principle I dislike an oath which requires a man to swear he has done no wrong. It rejects the Christian principle of forgiveness on terms of repentance. I think it is enough if the man does no wrong hereafter.

234

(Coffin, p. 89.)

All questions of social and moral reform find lodgment first with enlightened souls, who stamp them with their approval. In God's own time they will be organized into law, and thus woven into the fabric of our institutions.

235

(February 11, 1861, Speech on Leaving Springfield for Washington-Herndon, p. 486.)

My friends: No one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feelings of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave not knowing when or whether ever I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance, cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.

236

(March 4, 1861, First Inaugural-Van Buren, p. 61.) I am loath to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic cords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land,