A question settled by violence, or in disregard of law, must remain unsettled forever. Jefferson Davis More Quotes by Jefferson Davis More Quotes From Jefferson Davis A government, to afford the needful protection and exercise proper care for the welfare of a people, must have homogeneity in its constituents. It is this necessity which has divided the human race into separate nations, and finally has defeated the grandest efforts which conquerors have made to give unlimited extent to their domain. Jefferson Davis government race exercise Among our neighbors of Central and Southern America, we see the Caucasian mingled with the Indian and the African. They have the forms of free government, because they have copied them. To Jefferson Davis race country america I will admit no bond that holds me to a party a day longer than I agree to its principles. When men meet together to confer, and ascertain whether or not they do agree, and find that they differ - radically, essentially, irreconcilably differ - what belongs to an honorable position except to part? They cannot consistently act together any longer. Jefferson Davis party together men Our government is an agency of delegated and strictly limited powers. Its founders did not look to its preservation by force; but the chain they wove to bind these States together was one of love and mutual good offices. Jefferson Davis agency government office Lay aside all rancor, all bitter sectional feeling, and to make your places in the ranks of those who will bring about a consummation devoutly to be wished—a reunited country. Jefferson Davis bitter feelings country Neither current events nor history show that the majority rule, or ever did rule. Jefferson Davis majority-rule events political The contest is not over, the strife is not ended. It has only entered on a new and enlarged arena. Jefferson Davis arena strife civil-war Let men not ask what the law requires, but give whatever freedom demands. Jefferson Davis law giving men I worked night and day for twelve years to prevent the war, but I could not. The North was mad and blind, would not let us govern ourselves, and so the war came. Jefferson Davis night war years Your little army, derided for its want of arms, derided for its lack of all the essential material of war, has met the grand army of the enemy, routed it at every point, and now it flies, inglorious in retreat before our victorious columns. We have taught them a lesson in their invasion of the sacred soil of Virginia. Jefferson Davis virginia army war It was one of the compromises of the Constitution that the slave property in the Southern States should be recognized as property throughout the United States. Jefferson Davis constitution united-states southern If the Confederacy fails, there should be written on its tombstone: Died of a Theory. Jefferson Davis political tombstone organization Sir, it is true that republics have often been cradled in war, but more often they have met with a grave in that cradle. Peace is the interest, the policy, the nature of a popular Government. War may bring benefits to a few, but privation and loss are the lot of the many. An appeal to arms should be the last resort, and only by national rights or national honor can it be justified. Jefferson Davis rights loss war It is a duty we owe to posterity to see that our children shall know the virtues, and rise worthy of their sires. Jefferson Davis virtue duty children For an enemy so relentless in the war for our subjugation, we could not be expected to mourn; yet, in view of its political consequences, it could not be regarded otherwise than as a great misfortune for the South. Jefferson Davis political views war We protest solemnly in the face of mankind, that we desire peace at any sacrifice, save that of honor. Jefferson Davis sacrifice liberty honor Every one must understand that, whatever be the evil of slavery, it is not increased by its diffusion. Every one familiar with it knows that it is in proportion to its sparseness that it becomes less objectionable. Wherever there is an immediate connexion between the master and slave, whatever there is of harshness in the system is diminished. Jefferson Davis slavery masters evil Be not haughty with the humble; be not humble with the haughty. Jefferson Davis haughty humble It is not differences of opinion; it is geographical lines, rivers, and mountains which divide State from State, and make different nations of mankind. Jefferson Davis mountain differences rivers Upon my weary heart was showered smiles, plaudits and flowers, but beyond them I saw troubles and thorns innumerable. Jefferson Davis thorns flower heart
