Fort Sumter Quotes

From here on there will be two kinds of men—traitors and patriots. I prefer to be associated with the latter.

The last ray of hope for preserving the Union peaceably expired at the assault upon Fort Sumter.

The tea has been thrown overboard. The revolution of 1860 has been initiated.

I was born and raised in Charleston, SC.

Our people now, one and all, are determined to sustain the Government and demand a vigorous prosecution of the war inaugurated by the disunionists. All sympathy with them is dead.

This is where the rebellion was begun, and by God, this is where it will end.

A large body of people, sufficient to make a nation, have come to the conclusion that they will have a government of a certain form. Who denies them the right? Standing with the principles of '76 behind us, who can deny them the right? ... I maintain on the principles of '76 that Abraham Lincoln has no right to a soldier in Fort Sumter. ... You can never make such a war popular. ... The North never will endorse such a war.

It is a demand with which I regret that my sense of honor, and of my obligation to my Government, prevent my compliance.

All quiet along the Potomac.

… a treasonable attempt to overthrow the Federal Government by military force.