Political Quotes

On the recordMay 19, 1856
Here is where the greatest danger lies--that, while we profess to be a government of law and reason, law will give way to violence on demand of this awful and crushing power.
Said by
Abraham Lincoln
Republican · Illinois

Editor's note · Context

Lincoln warns of the peril when the rule of law and reason is supplanted by violence due to an oppressive force.

Share

More from Abraham Lincoln

Mar 7, 1865

In answer to the Senate's resolution of the 6th instant, requesting the return of a certain joint resolution, I transmit a report from the Secretary of State.

presidency.ucsb.edu
Mar 7, 1865

but whereas information has recently been received which affords reasonable grounds to expect that Her Britannic Majesty's Government and the executive and legislative branches of the government of Canada have taken and will continue to…

presidency.ucsb.edu
Apr 11, 1865

If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.

gutenberg.org
Apr 11, 1865

He said, with a great deal of emphasis, and with an expression of countenance I shall never forget: "When a man is sincerely penitent for his misdeeds, and gives satisfactory evidence of the same, he can safely be pardoned, and there is no…

gutenberg.org

Other voices in this conversation