From the public-domain record · 81,371 quotes
Founders, statesmen and world leaders — cited from their collected works.
The figures
He calmly and bravely heard the voice of doubt and fear all around him; but he had an oath in heaven, and there was not power enough on earth to make this honest boatman, backwoodsman, and broad-handed splitter of rails evade or violate…
He did not hesitate, he did not doubt, he did not falter; but at once resolved at whatever peril, at whatever cost, the union of the States should be preserved.
He brought his strong common sense, sharpened in the school of adversity, to bear upon the question.
Happily for the country, happily for you and for me, the judgment of James Buchanan, the patrician, was not the judgment of Abraham Lincoln, the plebeian.
His predecessor in office had already decided the question in favor of national dismemberment, by denying to it the right of self-defence and self-preservation--a right which belongs to the meanest insect.
The tremendous question for him to decide was whether his country should survive the crisis and flourish, or be dismembered and perish.
He was called upon not merely to administer the government, but to decide, in the face of terrible odds, the fate of the Republic.
A son of toil himself, he was linked in brotherly sympathy with the sons of toil in every loyal part of the republic.
Few great public men have ever been the victims of fiercer denunciation than Abraham Lincoln was during his administration.
The honest and comprehensive statesman, clearly discerning the needs of his country, and earnestly endeavoring to do his whole duty, though covered and blistered with reproaches, may safely leave his course to the silent judgment of time.
Fellow citizens, whatever else in the world may be partial, unjust, and uncertain, time, time! is impartial, just, and certain in its action.
Lincoln seemed tardy, cold, dull, and indifferent; but measuring him by the sentiment of his country, a sentiment he was bound as a statesman to consult, he was swift, zealous, radical, and determined.
Had he put the abolition of slavery before the salvation of the Union, he would have inevitably driven from him a powerful class of the American people and rendered resistance to rebellion impossible.
His great mission was to accomplish two things: first, to save his country from dismemberment and ruin; and second, to free his country from the great crime of slavery.
The image of the man went out with his words, and those who read them, knew him.
Though deep he was transparent; though strong, he was gentle; though decided and pronounced in his convictions, he was tolerant towards those who differed from him, and patient under reproaches.
Though high in position, the humblest could approach him and feel at home in his presence.
Any man can say things that are true of Abraham Lincoln, but no man can say anything that is new of Abraham Lincoln.
Can any colored man, or any white man friendly to the freedom of all men, ever forget the night which followed the first day of January, 1863, when the world was to see if Abraham Lincoln would prove to be as good as his word?
Our faith in him was often taxed and strained to the uttermost, but it never failed.
We were no more ashamed of him when shrouded in clouds of darkness, of doubt, and defeat than when we saw him crowned with victory, honor, and glory.
The name of Abraham Lincoln was near and dear to our hearts in the darkest and most perilous hours of the Republic.
To protect, defend, and perpetuate slavery in the States where it existed Abraham Lincoln was not less ready than any other President to draw the sword of the nation.
He came into the Presidential chair upon one principle alone, namely, opposition to the extension of slavery.
