Individual rights are not subject to a public vote; a majority has no right to vote away the rights of read more

Individual rights are not subject to a public vote; a majority has no right to vote away the rights of a minority; the political function of rights is precisely to protect minorities from oppression by majorities (and the smallest minority on earth is the individual).

All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or backgammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing read more

All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or backgammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and wrong.

I truly believe that before I retire from public office, I'll be voting for a woman for president.

I truly believe that before I retire from public office, I'll be voting for a woman for president.

The phrase "public office is a public trust," has of last become
common property.

The phrase "public office is a public trust," has of last become
common property.

Anything important is never left to the vote of the people. We only get to vote on some man; we read more

Anything important is never left to the vote of the people. We only get to vote on some man; we never get to vote on what he is to do.

I hope that no American . . . will waste his franchise and throw
away his vote by voting read more

I hope that no American . . . will waste his franchise and throw
away his vote by voting either for me or against me solely on
account of my religious affiliation. It is not relevant.

The English doctrine that all power is a trust for the public
good.

The English doctrine that all power is a trust for the public
good.

The very essence of a free government consists in considering
offices as public trusts, bestowed for the good of read more

The very essence of a free government consists in considering
offices as public trusts, bestowed for the good of the country,
and not for the benefit of an individual or a party.

Slavery is but half abolished, emancipation is but half
completed, while millions of freeman with votes in their hands read more

Slavery is but half abolished, emancipation is but half
completed, while millions of freeman with votes in their hands
are left without education.