Abraham Lincoln: “Whereas experience has shown that the exceptions made in and by said proclamation embarrass the due enforcement of said…”

I am considering, and shall not fail to act when satisfied that action will be proper.

As a general rule I abstain from reading the reports of attacks upon myself, wishing not to be provoked by that to which I cannot properly offer an answer.

I do the very best I know how--the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end.

Important principles may and must be inflexible.