Ulysses S. Grant Quotes
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Encourage free schools and resolve that not one dollar appropriated for their support shall be appropriated to the support of any sectarian schools. Resolve that neither the state nor nation, nor both combined, shall support institutions of learning other than those sufficient to afford every child growing up in the land of opportunity of a good common school education, unmixed with sectarian, pagan, or atheistical dogmas. Leave the matter of religion to the family altar, the church and the private school supported entirely by private contributions. Keep the church and state forever separate.
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The great bulk of the legal voters of the South were men who owned no slaves; their homes were generally in the hills and poor country; their facilities for educating their children, even up to the point of reading and writing, were very limited; their interest in the contest was very meagre--what there was, if they had been capable of seeing it, was with the North; they too needed emancipation.
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So vast a sum, receiving all the protection and benefits of the government, without bearing its proportion of the burdens and expenses of the same, will not be looked upon acquiescently by those who have to pay the taxes. . . . I would suggest the taxation of all property equally.
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The colored man has been accustomed all his life to lean on the white man, and if a good officer is placed over him, he will learn readily and make a good soldier.
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Really, Mr. Lincoln, I have had enough of this show business.
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God gave us Lincoln and Liberty, let us fight for both.
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Generally the officers of the army were indifferent whether the annexation [of Texas] was consummated or not; but not so all of them. For myself, I was bitterly opposed to the measure, and to this day regard the war, which resulted, as one of the most unjust ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation. It was an instance of a republic following the bad example of European monarchies, in not considering justice in their desire to acquire additional territory.
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Let no guilty man escape if it can be avoided. Be specially vigilant-or instruct those engaged in the prosecution of fraud to be-against all who insinuate that they have high influence to protect-or to protect them. No personal consideration should stand in the way of performing a public duty.
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I never knew what to do with a paper except to put it in a side pocket or pass it to a clerk who understood it better than I did.
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I desire the good-will of all, whether hitherto my friends or not.
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Our great modern Republic. May those who seek the blessings of its institutions and the protection of its flag remember the obligations they impose.
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Retreat? NO. I propose to attach at daylight and whip them.
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Two commanders on the same field are always one too many.
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We're teachers, and we have a commitment." "Commitment to what-to live and die in this hellhole, when we can leave and live like other people?
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I felt like anything rather than rejoicing at the downfall of a foe who had fought so long and valiantly, and had suffered so much for a cause, though that cause was, I believe, one of the worst for which a people ever fought, and one for which there was the least excuse.
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The long-continued and useful public service and eminent purity of character of the deceased ex-President will be remembered.
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I have made it a rule of my life to trust a man long after other people gave him up, but I don't see how I can ever trust any human being again.
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I suppose this work is part of the devil that is in us all.
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The natural disposition of most people is to clothe a commander of a large army whom they do not know, with almost superhuman abilities. A large part of the National army, for instance, and most of the press of the country, clothed General Lee with just such qualities, but I had known him personally, and knew that he was mortal; and it was just as well that I felt this.
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I never was an Abolitionest, not even what could be called anti slavery, but I try to judge farely and honestly and it become patent to my mind early in the rebellion that the North and South could never live at peace with each other except as one nation, and that without Slavery.
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Wherever the enemy goes let our troops go also.
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England and the United States are natural allies, and should be the best of friends.
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But my later experience has taught me two lessons: first, that things are seen plainer after the events have occurred; second, that the most confident critics are generally those who know the least about the matter criticised.
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It is preposterous to suppose that the people of one generation can lay down the best and only rules of government for all who are to come after them, and under unforeseen contingencies.
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I will not move my army without onions.
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The Southern rebellion was largely the outgrowth of the Mexican war. Nations, like individuals, are punished for their transgressions. We got our punishment in the most sanguinary and expensive war of modern times.
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There never was a time when, in my opinion, some way could not be found to prevent the drawing of the sword.
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If men make war in slavish observance of rules, they will fail. No rules will apply to conditions of war as different as those which exist in Europe and America...War is progressive, because all the instruments and elements of war are progressive.
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The most confident critics are generally those who know the least about the matter criticized.
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The distant rear of an army engaged in battle is not the best place from which to judge correctly what is going on in front.
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Ulysses S. Grant
- Born: April 27, 1822
- Died: July 23, 1885
- Occupation: 18th U.S. President