In expressing briefly my views upon an important subject which has recently agitated the nation..., I fervently hope that the question is at rest and that no sectional or ambitious or fanatical excitement may again threaten the durability of our institutions.

Franklin Pierce

Categorized in : History Views Important

If your past is limited, your future is boundless.

Franklin Pierce

boundless your-future past

While men inhabiting different parts of this vast continent cannot be expected to hold the same opinions, they can unite in a common objective and sustain common principles.

Franklin Pierce

presidential principles men

There is nothing left to do but get drunk.

Franklin Pierce

presidential left drunk

It must be felt that there is no national security but in the nation's humble, acknowledged dependence upon God and His overruling providence.

Franklin Pierce

religious humble god

You have summoned me in my weakness. You must sustain me in your strength.

Franklin Pierce

weakness politics teaching

I never justify, sustain, or in any way or to any extent uphold this cruel, heartless, aimless unnecessary war.

Franklin Pierce

heartless war way

Frequently the more trifling the subject, the more animated and protracted the discussion.

Franklin Pierce

presidential patriotic political

But let not the foundation of our hope rest upon man's wisdom. It will not be sufficient that sectional prejudices find no place in the public deliberations. It will not be sufficient that the rash counsels of human passion are rejected. It must be felt that there is no national security but in the nation's humble, acknowledged dependence upon God and His overruling providence.

Franklin Pierce

passion humble men

I can express no better hope for my country than that the kind Providence which smiled upon our fathers may enable their children to preserve the blessings they have inherited.

Franklin Pierce

country father children

The constitutionality and propriety of the Federal Government assuming to enter into a novel and vast field of legislation, namely, that of providing for the care and support of all those ... who by any form of calamity become fit objects of public philanthropy. ... I cannot find any authority in the Constitution for making the Federal Government the great almoner of public charity throughout the United States. To do so would, in my judgment, be contrary to the letter and spirit of the Constitution and subversive of the whole theory upon which the Union of these States is founded.

Franklin Pierce

support government power

Of all knaves the religious knave is the worst.

Franklin Pierce

knaves worst religious

I cannot find any authority in the Constitution for public charity.

Franklin Pierce

constitution charity authority

The founders of the Republic dealt with things as they were presented to them, in a spirit of self sacrificing Patriotism and as time has proved, with a comprehensive wisdom which it will always be safe for us to consult

Franklin Pierce

republic sacrifice self

The dangers of a concentration of all power in the general government of a confederacy so vast as ours are too obvious to be disregarded.

Franklin Pierce

government president danger

In a body [like Congress] where there are more than one hundred talking lawyers, you can make no calculation upon the termination of any debate.

Franklin Pierce

lawyer body talking

A Republic without parties is a complete anomaly. The histories of all popular governments show absurd is the idea of their attempting to exist without parties.

Franklin Pierce

patriotic party government

There's nothing left . . . but to get drunk.

Franklin Pierce

left drunk

After the White House what is there to do but drink?

Franklin Pierce

drink white house

With the Union my best and dearest earthly hopes are entwined.

Franklin Pierce

unions patriotic political

The revenue of the country, levied almost insensibly to the taxpayer, goes on from year to year, increasing beyond either the interests or the prospective wants of the Government.

Franklin Pierce

government country years