A majority held in restraint by constitutional checks and limitations, and always changing easily with deliberate changes of popular opinions and sentiments, is the only true sovereign of a free people.
From his first inaugural, Lincoln defined the true sovereign of a free people as a constitutionally restrained majority responsive to public opinion.
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More from Abraham Lincoln
Whenever I hear any one arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.
Fourth. That the naval forces at Charleston and their commander on that station be invited to participate in the ceremonies of the occasion.
If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.
Unlike a case of war between independent nations, there is no organized organ for us to treat with,--no one man has authority to give up the rebellion for any other man.
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