If by the mere force of numbers a majority should deprive a minority of any clearly written constitutional right, it might, in a moral point of view, justify revolution—certainly would if such a right were a vital one.

Abraham Lincoln

First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln

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More information about this quote

Topic

Minority rights American politics

Speaker

Abraham Lincoln

Source

First Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1861 1860s 19th century

Occupation

American President National leader Politician

From

United States

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "First Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1861, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Current Citation

Lincoln, Abraham. "First Inaugral Address, March 4, 1861." Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher. Library of America, 2018.

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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote from the 1860s

The story of our inferiority is an old dodge, as I have said: for wherever men oppress their fellows, wherever they enslave them, they will endeavor to find the needed apology for such enslavement and oppression in the character of the people oppressed and enslaved.

Frederick Douglass

More information about this quote
Topic
Oppressor and oppressed
Speaker
Frederick Douglass
Medium
Speech
Genre
Political speech
Language
English
Time
1865 1860s 19th century
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Douglass, Frederick. “What the Black Man Wants.” Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. 26 Jan. 1865, Boston, MA, USA.

Current Citation

Douglass, Frederick. Great Speeches by Frederick Douglass. Dover Publications, 2013.

Another quote about American politics

In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.

Ronald Reagan

First Inaugural Address of Ronald Reagan

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More information about this quote
Topic
Limited government Political theory American politics
Speaker
Ronald Reagan
Source
First Inaugural Address of Ronald Reagan Presidential inaugural address
Medium
Speech
Genre
Political speech
Language
English
Time
1981 1980s 20th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Reagan, Ronald. "First Inaugural Address." 20 Jan. 1981, West Front, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Another quote from 1861

One, if by land, and two, if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and farm.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Atlantic Monthly

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Read Paul Revere's Ride at poets.org
More information about this quote
Topic
Battles of Lexington and Concord American Revolution

Author

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Source
Paul Revere's Ride The Atlantic Monthly
Medium
Poem Magazine
Language
English
Time
1861 1860s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "Paul Revere's Ride." The Atlantic Monthly, Jan. 1861.

Current Citation

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. "The Landlord's Tale: Paul Revere's Ride." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Poems and Other Writings, edited by J. D. McClatchy. Library of America, 2000, st. 2.

Another quote from the following genre Political speech

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.

John F. Kennedy

Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy

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More information about this quote
Topic
Citizen and state Civic duty American politics
Speaker
John F. Kennedy
Source
Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy Presidential inaugural address
Medium
Speech
Genre
Political speech
Language
English
Time
1961 1960s 20th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Kennedy, John F. "Inaugural Address." 20 Jan. 1961, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.