"At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it?
Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never!
All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own
excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a
drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years. At what
point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us it must spring up
amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author
and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.
-- January 27, 1838 - Address Before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois A Lincoln |
