NOT LAST, BUT NEVER TO DESERT

Many free countries have lost their liberty, and ours may lose hers; but if she shall, be it my proudest plume, not that I was the last to desert, but that I never deserted her.- -Speech on Sub-treasury, Dec. 20, 1839, vol. I, p. 137.

PILOTING THE SHIP OF STATE

As a pilot I have used my best exertions to keep afloat our Ship of State, and shall be glad to resign my trust at the appointed time to another pilot more skillful and successful than I may prove.-Reply to Presbyterian General Assembly, May 30, 1863, vol. VIII, p. 288.

SAVE THE COUNTRY FIRST

Let the friends of the government first save the government and then administer it to their own liking. Letter to Henry Winter Davis, Mar. 18, 1863, vol. VIII, p. 229.

A NEW NATION CONCEIVED IN LIBERTY

Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.- -Gettysburg Address, Nov. 19, 1863, vol. IX, p. 209.

PUTTING THE FOOT DOWN FIRMLY

The man does not live who is more devoted to peace than I am, but it may be necessary to put the foot down firmly. Address to New Jersey Assembly, Feb. 21, 1861, vol. VI, p. 154.

PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATISM

I am very glad the elections this autumn have gone favorably, and that I have not, by native depravity or under evil influences, done anything bad enough to prevent the good result. I hope to "stand firm" enough to not go backward, and yet not go forward fast enough to wreck the country's cause. -Letter to Zachariah Chandler, Nov. 20, 1863, vol. IX, p. 213.

DEVOTION TO THE UNION

I have said nothing but what I am willing to live by, and, if it be the pleasure of Almighty God, to die by.—Address in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Feb. 22, 1861, vol. VI, p. 156.

SELF-GOVERNMENT AND DESPOTISM

When the white man governs himself, that is selfgovernment; but when he governs himself and also governs another man, that is more than self-government-that is despotism.-Speech at Peoria, Ill., Oct. 16, 1854, vol. II, p. 227.

"BUTS" AND "IFS" AND "ANDS"

The man who stands by and says nothing when the peril of his government is discussed, cannot be misunderstood. If not hindered, he is sure to help the enemy; much more if he talks ambiguously-talks for his country with "buts," and "ifs," and "ands." Letter to Erastus Corning, June 12, 1863, vol. VIII, p. 305.

VOTERS WHO VOTE THE REAL POWER

It is not the qualified voters, but the qualified voters who choose to vote, that constitute the political power of the State. Opinion on Admission of West Virginia, Dec. 31, 1862, vol. VIII, p. 157.

PRESERVATION OF LIBERTY A DUTY

If there is anything which it is the duty of the whole people to never intrust to any hands but their own, that thing is the preservation and perpetuity of their own liberties and institutions. Speech at Peoria, Ill., Oct. 16, 1854, vol. II, p. 235.

BALLOTS, NOT BULLETS, GIVE VICTORY

To give the victory to the right, not bloody bullets, but peaceful ballots only are necessary. Thanks to our good old Constitution, and organization under it, these alone are necessary. It only needs that

-Notes

every right thinking man shall go to the polls, and without fear or prejudice vote as he thinks.for Speeches, Oct. 1, 1858, vol. IV, p. 235.

NO APPEAL FROM BALLOT TO BULLET

Among free men there can be no successful appeal from the ballot to the bullet, and they who take such appeal are sure to lose their case and pay the cost. -Letter to James C. Conkling, Aug. 26, 1863, vol. IX, p. 101.

TRUE LAW OF DIVINE RIGHT

No man is good enough to govern another man without that other's consent.- -Speech at Peoria, Ill., Oct. 16, 1854, vol. II, p. 228.

PREPARATION FOR TYRANNY

Familiarize yourself with the chains of bondage and you prepare your own limbs to wear them. Accustomed to trample on the rights of others, you have lost the genius of your own independence and become the fit subject of the first cunning tyrant who rises among you.- -Fragment of Speech at Edwardsville, Ill., Sept. 13, 1858, vol. XI, p. 110.

INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS A NATURAL LAW

I believe each individual is naturally entitled to do as he pleases with himself and the fruit of his

labor, so far as it in no wise interferes with any other man's rights.-Speech at Chicago, Ill., July 10, 1858, vol. III, p. 35.

EQUALITY IN SOCIETY

Equality in society alike beats inequality, whether the latter be of the British aristocratic sort or of the domestic slavery sort.- On Slavery, July 1, 1854,

vol. II, p. 184.

ALL MEN CREATED EQUAL

Our progress in degeneracy appears to me to be pretty rapid. As a nation we began by declaring that "all men are created equal." We now practically read it "all men are created equal, except negroes." When the Know-nothings get control, it will read "all men are created equal except negroes and foreigners and Catholics." When it comes to this, I shall prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretence of loving liberty,-to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.- -Letter to Joshua F. Speed, Aug. 24, 1855, vol. II, p. 287.

THE LAW OF LIBERTY

I am for the people of the whole nation doing just as they please in all matters which concern the whole nation; for those of each part doing just as