"I can scarcely contemplate a more incalculable..." - Quote by Thomas Jefferson

“Let it be signified to me through any channelthat the possession of the Floridas would be desirable to the United States, andin sixty days it will be accomplished....penned in the language of truth, and divested of those expressions of servility which would persuade his majesty that we are asking favors and not rights.”

“A government regulating itself by what is wise and just for the many, uninfluenced by the local and selfish views of the few who direct their affairs, has not been seen, perhaps, on earth. Or if it existed for a moment at the birth of ours, it would not be easy to fix the term of its continuance. Still, I believe it does exist here in a greater degree than anywhere else; and for its growth and continuance... I offer sincere prayers.”

“I see the necessity of sacrificing our opinions sometimes to the opinions of others for the sake of harmony.”

“Nationwide thinking, nationwide planning and nationwide action are the three great essentials to prevent nationwide crises for future generations to struggle through.”

“There is not a black America and a white America; a Latino America, an Asian America. There is the United States of America.”

“To the efficacy and permanency of your union a government for the whole is indispensable.”

“My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union.”

“I merged so completely with love, and was so fused,that I became Love and Love became me.”

“I become a waterwheel, turning and tasting you, as long as water moves.”