“Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others.” – Abraham Lincoln. US President
— Address before the Young Men’s Lyceum of Springfield — January 27, 1838
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States (1861-1865), is renowned for his leadership during the Civil War and his efforts to abolish slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln’s speeches and writings often reflect his deep commitment to the principles of democracy, liberty, and the rule of law.
The quote comes from Lincoln’s address before the Young Men’s Lyceum of Springfield on January 27, 1838. In this speech, Lincoln emphasizes the importance of upholding the laws of the nation as a fundamental duty of every citizen. His call to “swear by the blood of the Revolution” invokes the sacrifices made by the Founding Fathers and the patriots who fought for American independence, underscoring the gravity of the commitment he is asking of his audience.
Lincoln’s assertion that Americans should never violate the laws of the country, nor tolerate their violation by others, reflects his belief in the necessity of a lawful society. He recognized that the strength of the nation relies on the adherence to laws and the principles of justice. This sentiment is particularly poignant given the context of his time, as the nation was grappling with issues of sectionalism, lawlessness, and the moral crisis surrounding slavery.
Moreover, Lincoln’s emphasis on the responsibility of citizens to actively uphold the law speaks to the broader theme of civic duty. He believed that the preservation of liberty and democracy required active participation and vigilance from the populace. By urging his audience to take an oath to uphold the law, Lincoln was advocating for a collective commitment to the ideals of justice and order that underpin a free society.
