I know enough of the family life of officers. I scarcely know my own children or they me.

In all disputes between conflicting governments, it is our interest not less than our duty to remain strictly neutral.

The confidence and respect shown by my countrymen in calling me to be the Chief Magistrate of a Republic holding a high rank among the nations of the earth have inspired me with feelings of the most profound gratitude.

Soldiers, I intend to stay here, not only as long as a man remains, but as long as a piece of a man is left.

My duty to the army and to the republic whose battles we were waging forbade me assuming a position of seeming hostility to any portion of the brave men under my command.

I did not expect to encounter what has beset me since my elevation to the presidency. God knows, I have endeavored to fulfill what I considered to be an honest duty, but I have been mistaken; my motives have been misconstrued and my feelings grossly betrayed.

If elected, I would not be the mere president of a party - I would endeavor to act independent of party domination and should feel bound to administer the government untrammeled by party schemes.

I will not say I would not serve if the good people were imprudent enough to elect me.

Economy I consider a virtue & should be practiced by all; there is certainly no way in which money can be laid out than in the education of children.

In no case can I permit myself to be a candidate of any party or yield myself to any party schemes.