George F. Hoar

There is no such thing as a blind fate; no such thing as an overwhelming and pitiless destiny.

The longer I live, the more carefully I study the former times or observe my own time, the more I am impressed with the sensitiveness of every people, however great or however free, to an individual touch, to the influence of a personal…

If he had not lived, the history of the country would have been different in some very important particulars; and it is not unlikely that his death changed the result in some matters of great pith and moment, which are to affect profoundly…

He knew the whole history of his country from the time of her independence, partly from the lips of those who had shaped it, partly because of the large share he had in it himself.

He knew in his youth the veterans of the Revolution and the generation who declared independence and framed the Constitution, as the young men who are coming to manhood to-day know the veterans who won our victories and the statesmen who…

When Justin Morrill died, not only a great figure left the Senate Chamber--the image of the ancient virtue of New England-- but an era in our national history came to an end.

He can generally be depended upon for a fair vote, certainly always for an honest and incorruptible vote, and to do full justice to a political opponent.

Massachusetts has kept the succession of United States Senators unbroken, and has had a Republican delegation in the House ever since the party came into power, with two exceptions.

Those elections were protests against an attempt to depart from the old-fashioned method of ascertaining the will of the people in selecting Republican candidates.

Our method of political management and control has been vindicated by the fact that the Commonwealth has been kept true to its ancient faith, except in a very few years when accidental causes have caused the election of a Democratic…

I believe if her leading men had pursued Massachusetts methods she would to a great extent have repeated Massachusetts history.

But I have never adopted any other method, and I have never desired that my public life or influence should survive the introduction of any other method in Massachusetts.

It is the hour of fate, And they who follow me reach every state Mortals desire, and conquer every foe Save death; but those who doubt or hesitate, Condemned to failure, penury and woe, Seek me in vain and uselessly implore.

If sleeping, wake--if feasting, rise before I turn away.

Fame, love and fortune on my footsteps wait, Cities and fields I walk; I penetrate Deserts and seas remote, and passing by Hovel and mart and palace--soon or late I knock unbidden once at every gate!

If he had stood stanchly on the New England doctrines and principles in which he was educated, and which I think he believed in his heart, he would have kept his State on the right side.

He yielded to the craze for free silver which swept over parts of the West, and in so doing lost the confidence of the people to whose momentary impulse he had given way.

He never lost an opportunity to indulge his gift of caustic wit, no matter at whose expense.

I said to him one day, "I think you are the best presiding officer I ever knew.

He had an excellent English style, always impressive, often on fit occasions rising to great stateliness and beauty.

John James Ingalls was in many respects one of the brightest intellects I ever knew.

I have never known, or known of, a better administration of any Department from the beginning of the Government, than his of that great office, with its eight important bureaus.

He had stood firm as a rock for the financial integrity of the country.

In each of her million homes dwells Liberty, a perpetual guest.

The Northwest had been the gift of Freedom to the Republic on her birthday.