At my door the Pale Horse stands To carry me to unknown lands. - John Hay

[The Spanish-American War] has been a splendid little war, begun with the highest motives, carried on with magnificent intelligence and spirit, favored by that Fortune that loves the brave. It is now to be concluded, I hope, with that fine good nature, which is, after all, the distinguishing trait of the American character.

Dealing with a government [Tsarist Russia] with whom mendacity is a science is an extremely difficult and delicate matter.

He weren't no saint—but at jedgment I'd run my chance with Jim.
'Longside of some pious gentlemen That wouldn't shook hands with him.
He seen his duty, a dead-sure thing— And went for it thar and then;
And Christ ain't a-going to be too hard On a man that died for men.