I refuse to accept the idea that the 'isness' of man's present nature makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the eternal 'oughtness' that forever confronts him.

We may make mistakes-but they must never be mistakes which result from faintness of heart or abandonment of moral principle.

We have never stopped sin by passing laws; and in the same way, we are not going to take a great moral ideal and achieve it merely by law.

We have errors to correct. We have probably had too good an opinion of human nature in forming our confederation.

It is with pleasure I receive reproof, when reproof is due, because no person can be readier to accuse me, than I am to acknowledge an error, when I am guilty of one; nor more desirous of atoning for a crime, when I am sensible of having committed it.

To rectify past blunders is impossible, but we might profit by the experience of them.