[September] 27th [1862] I happened to be placed, being a humble instrument in the hands of our Heavenly Father, as I am, and as we all are, to work o… - Abraham Lincoln

And this issue embraces more than the fate of these United States. It presents to the whole family of man the question whether a constitutional republic, or democracy — a government of the people by the same people — can or can not maintain its territorial integrity against its own domestic foes. It presents the question whether discontented individuals, too few in numbers to control administration according to organic law in any case, can always, upon the pretenses made in this case, or on any other pretenses, or arbitrarily without any pretense, break up their government, and thus practically put an end to free government upon the earth. It forces us to ask, Is there in all republics this inherent and fatal weakness? Must a government of necessity be too strong for the liberties of its own people, or too weak to maintain its own existence?

Men are not flattered by being shown that there has been a difference of purpose between the Almighty and them.

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.