Political Quotes

John Sherman: “You are not called upon to guard a tyrant's throne, or to enslave a nation of freemen, neither are your exertions…”

On the record
You are not called upon to guard a tyrant's throne, or to enslave a nation of freemen, neither are your exertions required to redress a fancied wrong, or to revenge a supposed insult; but you are called upon to preserve your own dwellings from the flames--your families from destruction.
Said by
John Sherman
Ohio

Editor's note · Context

Sherman emphasizes that the soldiers are defending their homes and families, not fighting for tyranny.

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What I have written is no doubt clouded with partisanship, but I would not be honest if I did not express my attachment to my party.

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Though my grateful thanks are due to them and have been often expressed, yet I have felt, as they do, that my duty was to the whole country.

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