Lincoln Quotes on Democracy

As I would not be a Slave

As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy.

White House

I happen temporarily to occupy this big White House. I am living witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my father's child has.

Good Old Ship of the Union

If all do not join now to save the good old ship of the Union this voyage nobody will have a chance to pilot her on another voyage.

In your Hands

In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow-countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. The Government will not assail you. You can have no conflict without being yourselves the aggressors. You have no oath registered in heaven to destroy the Government, while I shall have the most solemn one to 'preserve, protect, and defend it'.