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In 1838, a 29 year old Abraham Lincoln posed the question for which he
would ultimately give his life. Years later, he would debate Stephen
Douglas, who argued that freedom and slavery were a matter of political
balance. But in this speech, he spoke to the larger question that we must
now confront:
"Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step over the ocean,
and crush us at a blow? Never! -- All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa
combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their
military chest; with a Bonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take
a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a
Thousand years. At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be
expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It
cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be
its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all
time, or die by suicide."
 By: | Abraham Lincoln (more quotes by Abraham Lincoln or books by/about Abraham Lincoln) |
| (1809-1865) 16th US President |
Source: | January 27, 1838, address before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, IL |
Categories: | America, Death, Freedom, Liberty, President, Republic, Responsibility, Slavery, Terrorism, Truth, Tyranny, Usurpation |
Rating: |    |
Kindle Categories: | Corruption |