Ulysses S. Grant (1822 – 1885)
Born Hiram Ulysses Grant, was the Commanding General of Union army during the American Civil War and 18th President of the United States.
Although a soldier by profession, I have never felt any sort of fondness for war, and I have never advocated it, except as a means of peace.
I believe that our Great Maker is preparing the world in His own good time to become one nation, speaking one language, when armies and navies will no longer be required.
The war is over — the rebels are our countrymen again.
There is nothing more I should do to it now, and therefore I am not likely to be more ready to go than at this moment.
Let no guilty man escape, if it can be avoided. No personal considerations should stand in the way of performing a public duty.
I rise only to say that I do not intend to say anything. I thank you for your hearty welcomes and good cheers.
As the United States is the freest of all nations, so, too, its people sympathize with all people struggling for liberty and self-government; but while so sympathizing it is due to our honor that we should abstain from enforcing our views upon unwilling nations and from taking an interested part, without invitation, in the quarrels between different nations or between governments and their subjects. Our course should always be in conformity with strict justice and law, international and local.
The right of revolution is an inherent one. When people are oppressed by their government, it is a natural right they enjoy to relieve themselves of the oppression, if they are strong enough, either by withdrawal from it, or by overthrowing it and substituting a government more acceptable. But any people or part of a people who resort to this remedy, stake their lives, their property, and every claim for protection given by citizenship — on the issue. Victory, or the conditions imposed by the conqueror — must be the result.
If Grant only does this thing right down there — I don't care how, so long as he does it right — why, Grant is my man and I am his the rest of the war!