“Our defense is in the spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage of all men in all lands everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you will have planted the seeds of despotism at our own doors. . . . Whether it is right or wrong to trample on the rights of others — that is the real issue . . . the eternal struggle between the two principles of right and wrong throughout the world.” ~ Abraham Lincoln
“Bad men cannot make good citizens. It is when people forget God that tyrants forge their chains. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted state of conscience, is incompatible with freedom. No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality and virtue; and by frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.” ~ Patrick Henry …vatiate- impair, corrupt, debase (Oxford Dictionary)
“You have the highest of Human trusts committed to your care. Providence has showered this favored land blessings without number, and has chosen you, as the guardians of freedom, to preserve it for the benefit of the human race. May He who holds in His hands the destiny of nations make you worthy of the favors he has bestowed, and enable you, with pure hearts, and pure hands, and sleepless vigilance, to guard and defend to the end of time the great charge He has committed to you keeping.” ~ Andrew Jackson
