William Seward: “It remains for you only to transmit the same peerless legacy, unimpaired, to your children of the next succeeding age.”

As George Washington, I would do this man any kindness in my power--as President of the United States, I can do nothing.

Education makes a greater difference between man and man, than nature has made between man and brute.

Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record to their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored.

It should be your care therefore, and mine, to elevate the minds of our children, and exalt their courage, to accelerate and animate their industry and activity, to excite in them an habitual contempt of meanness, abhorrence of injustice…