The growth of modern constitutional government compels for its successful practice the exercise of reason and considerate judgment by the individual citizens who constitute the electorate. – Elihu Root
Secretary of War Stanton used to get out of patience with Lincoln because he was all the time pardoning men who ought to be shot. – Elihu Root
It is to be observed that every case of war averted is a gain in general, for it helps to form a habit of peace, and community habits long continued become standards of conduct. – Elihu Root
The limitation upon this mode of promoting peace lies in the fact that it consists in an appeal to the civilized side of man, while war is the product of forces proceeding from mans original savage nature. – Elihu Root