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
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
The mere assemblage of peace loving people to interchange convincing reasons for their common faith, mere exhortation and argument to the public in favor of peace in general fall short of the mark. – 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