“Now, in my view of the present aspect of affairs, there is no need of bloodshed and war. There is no necessity for it. I am not in favor of such a course, and I may say in advance, there will be no blood shed unless it be forced' upon the Government. The Government will not use force unless force is used against it.”

—  Abraham Lincoln

Source: 1860s, Speech in Independence Hall (1861)

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Abraham Lincoln 618
16th President of the United States 1809–1865

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