Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 233

'Slavery is founded in the selfishness of man's nature -- opposition to it is in his love of justice. These principles are in eternal antagonism; and when brought into collision so fiercely, as slavery’s extension brings them, shocks, and throes, and convulsions must ceaselessly follow. Repeal the Missouri Compromise -- repeal all compromises -- repeal the Declaration of Independence -- repeal all past history, you still cannot repeal human nature. It still will be the abundance of man's heart that slavery's extension is wrong; and out of the abundance of his heart, his mouth will continue to speak.'

- Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 232

‘That Lincoln, after winning the presidency, made the unprecedented decision to incorporate his eminent rivals into his political family, the cabinet, was evidence of a profound self-confidence and a first indication of what would prove to others a most unexpected greatness… Every member of this administration was better known, better educated, and more experienced in public life than Lincoln. Their presence in the cabinet might have threatened to eclipse the obscure prairie lawyer from Springfield. It soon became clear, however, that Abraham Lincoln would emerge the undisputed captain of this most unusual cabinet, truly a team of rivals.  The powerful competitors who had originally disdained Lincoln became colleagues who helped him steer the country through its darkest days.’

- Doris Kearns Goodwin

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 231

'… that on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.'

- Abraham Lincoln, Emancipation Proclamation

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 230

'That some achieve great success is proof to all that others can achieve it as well.'

- Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 229

'...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 - that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.'

- Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 228

The anxiety in Washington about Lincoln's minimal chances for re-election in 1864 ended in September with the fall of Atlanta, the South’s principle city and rail-head. Once that happened everybody suddenly saw the light. Horace Greeley announced that his newspaper The New York Tribune would 'henceforth fly the banner of Abraham Lincoln for President.' Lincoln's enemies within the Republican Party like Salmon Chase the former Treasury Secretary as well as Benjamin Wade and Henry Davis all chose to stump for the President. Similarly Wendell Phillips, who had written, 'I would cut off both hands before doing anything to aid Lincoln's election,' did his about-face in October. Even Thaddeus Stevens waxed eloquent about Lincoln's 'firm grasp of the pilot at the helm.'

Lincoln’s Wit/Wisdom 227

'The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.'

- Abraham Lincoln