Edgar Lee Masters on the crony capitalism of Henry Clay

[Henry] Clay was the champion of that political system which doles favors to the strong in order to win and to keep their adherence to the government.  His system offered shelter to devious schemes and corrupt enterprises...  He was the beloved son of Alexander Hamilton with his corrupt funding schemes, his superstitions concerning the advantage of a public debt, and a people taxed to make profits for enterprise that cannot stand alone...  The Whigs adopted the tricks of the pickpocket who dresses himself like a farmer in order to move through a rural crowd unidentified while he gathers purses and watches.

~ Edgar Lee Masters, Lincoln the Man (1997), p. 27

(as quoted by Tom DiLorenzo in Hamilton's Curse, pp. 120-121 and The Real Lincoln, pp. 58-59)

Henry Clay
1873

William Seward on Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation

We show our sympathy with slavery by emancipating slaves where we cannot reach them and holding them in bondage where we can set them free.

~ William Seward, U.S. Secretary of State, 1861-1869

William Seward
1873

Tom DiLorenzo on the Jeffersonian and Hamiltonian visions for America

Two of the most influential figures in American history. Two opposing political philosophies. Two radically different visions for America.

Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton were without question two of the most important Founding Fathers. They were also the fiercest of rivals. Of these two political titans, it is Jefferson—–the revered author of the Declaration of Independence and our third president—–who is better remembered today. But in fact it is Hamilton’s political legacy that has triumphed—–a legacy that has subverted the Constitution and transformed the federal government into the very leviathan state that our forefathers fought against in the American Revolution.

~ Tom DiLorenzo, Hamilton's Curse

Alexander Hamilton
1873

Winfield Scott on the fourth choice available to Lincoln to deal with Southern secession

Say to the seceded States — wayward sisters, depart in peace!

~ Winfield Scott, letter to William H. Seward, March 3, 1861

Winfield Scott
1873

Franklin on war and peace

There never was a good war or a bad peace.

~ Benjamin Franklin, Letter to Josiah Quincy (September 11, 1773)

Benjamin Franklin
1873