If a man does not have an ideal and try to live up to it, then he becomes a mean, base, and sordid creature, no matter how successful. - Theodore Roosevelt

The spirit ot lawlessness grows with what it feeds on and when mobs with impunity lynch criminals for one crime, they are certain to begin to lynch real or alleged criminals for other causes. In the recent cases of lynching over three-fourths were not for rape at all, but for murder, attempted murder and even less heinous offenses. Moreover, the history of these recent cases shows the awful fact that when the minds of men are habituated to the use of torture by lawless bodies to avenge crimes of a peculiarly revolting description, other lawless bodies will use torture in order to punish crimes of an ordinary type.

Friends, our tasks as Americans is to strive for social and industrial justice, achieved through the genuine rule of the people...

In order to succeed, we need leaders of inspired idealism, leaders to whom are granted great visions, dream greatly and strive to make their dreams come true; who can kindle the people with the fire from their own burning souls. The leader for the time being, whoever he may be, is but an instrument, to be used until broken and then to be cast aside: and if he is worth his salt he will care no more when he is broken than a soldier cares when he is sent where his life is forefit in order that the victory be won.

In the long fight for righteousness the watchword for all us is spend and be spent. It is of little matter whether any one man fails or succeeds; but the cause should not fail.”, for it is the cause of all mankind.

I abhor unjust war. I abhor injustice and bullying by the strong at the expense of the weak, whether among nations or individuals. I abhor violence and bloodshed. I believe that war should never be resorted to when, or so long as, it is honorably possible to avoid it. I respect all men and women who from high motives and with sanity and self-respect do all they can to avert war. I advocate preparation for war in order to avert war; and I should never advocate war unless it were the only alternative to dishonor.