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I take a grave view of the press. It is the weak slat under the bed of democracy
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Democracy is constructed like an edifice, freedom by freedom, right by right, until it reaches its snapping point.
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The story of man is the history, first, of the acceptance and imposition of restraints necessary to permit communal life; and second, of the emancipation of the individual within that system of necessary restraints.
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The ballot is stronger than the bullet.
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As a nation, we began by declaring that 'all men are created equal.' We now practically read it 'all men are created equal, except negroes.' When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.
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Freedom is the last, best hope of earth.
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Is there a chance? A fragment of light at the end of the tunnel? A reason to fight? Is there a chance you may change your mind? Or are we ashes and wine?
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We can't fight and beg from those we fight at the same time.
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Bismarck fought 'necessary' wars and killed thousands, the idealists of the twentieth century fight 'just' wars and kill millions.
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For great men, religion is a way of making friends; small people make religion a fighting tool.
