, 1922-02-09

many good men among ourselves into an open war
with the very fundamental principles of civil lib
erty, criticising the Declaration of Independence
and insisting that there is no right principle OF
action but self-interest. (Speeeh ut Ottawa. Ill,
Aug. 21, 1851
What constitutes the bulwark Of our own lib
erty and independence? 1t Is not our frowning
battlements. our bristling seacoasts, the guns OF
our war steamers, or the strength of our gallant
and disciplined army. These are not our reliance
against a Resumption of tyranny in our fair land.
Our reliance is in the love OF liberty which
God has planted in our bosoms. Our defense Is
in the preservation of the spirit which prizes lib
erty as the heritage of all men In all lands every
where. Destroy this spirit and you have planted
the seeds of despotlsm around our own doors.
(Speech at Chicago. ILL.,. Sept. IL, 1851
All the armies of Europe, Asia. and Africa COM
bined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own
~excepted) in their military chest, with u Bonaparte
for u commander, could not by force take a drink
from the Ohio or make a track on the Blue Ridge
in u trial of a thousand years. AT what point,
then, is the approach of danger to be expected?
| answer, IL 1t ever reaches us 1t must spring up
among us; it cannot come from abroad. II destruc-
ton be our lot we must ourselves be Its author
and hnlsher. As n nation of freedmen we must
live through all time or die by suicide. (Speech
at Springfield. ILL.,, Jan. 81. 1879
No man is good enough to govern another man
without that others consent. Those who
deny freedom to others deserve 1t not for them
Y uit thoNh "a J'eN 'V'e 1880
1t. (Speech at Springfield. Ill, Oct. l, 1s54)
Allow all the governed an equal voice in the
government; that and that only Is self-govern-
ment. Finally. l insist that If there is
anything that It is the duty of the whole people
TO never Intrust to hands other than their own
that thing Is the preservation and perpetulty OF
their own liberties and institutions. (Speech at
Peoria. ILL.,. Oct. 10. 1881
The strongest bond OF human sympathy outside
the family relation should be one uniting all work.
ing people of all nations. tongues and kindreds.
Qleply TO committee of Workingmen's association
Of New York, Mar. 81, 1861
We will hereafter speak for freedom and against
slavery as long as the Constitution guarantees
free speech until everywhere on this wide land
the sun shall shine. and the rain shall fall, and
the wind shall blow upon no man who goes forth
to unrequhed toll. (1S56. History of Abraham
Linculn.-Aruold. p. 90
/ go for all sharing the privilege OF the govern
ment who assist In bearing its burdens. =. .
by no means excluding females. Announcement
Of political Views, June f3. 1850
| am opposed to the Limitation or lessenlng OF
the right OF suffrage. II anything I am I'm favor
of Its extension or enlargement. l want to lift
men up-to broaden rather than contract their
privileges. Unterview. Springfield, Il.-Herndon.
p. 625)
But in a iarger sense we cannot dedlcnte. we
cannot consecrate. we cannot hallow. this ground.
The brave men. living and dead, who struggled
here, have consecrnted II far above our poor power
20 add or detrnct. The world will little note, nor
long remember what we say here, but II can never
forget what they did here. II is for US, the living.
rather TO be dedicated here TO the unfinished work
which they who fought here have thus fur so nobly
advanced. II Is rather for us TO be here dedicated
to the great task remaining before us that from
these honored dead we take increased devotion
that we here highly resolve that these dead shall
not have died In vain that this nation, under
God, shall have a new birth OF freedom; and that
government Of the people, by the people. for the
people. shall not perish from the earth. (Gettys-
burg Address. November 10. 1859