I Suppose This Work Is Part Of

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.

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.

I Leave Comparisons To History, Claiming Only That I Have Acted In Every Instance From A Conscientious Desire To Do What Was Right, Constitutional, Within The Law, And For The Very Best Interests Of The Whole People. Failures Have Been Errors Of Judgment, Not Of Intent.

The Friend In My Adversity I Shall Always Cherish Most. I Can Better Trust Those Who Helped To Relieve The Gloom Of My Dark Hours Than Those Who Are So Ready To Enjoy With Me The Sunshine Of My Prosperity.

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.