Presidential Quotes - Page 25

• The America to which these Swedish settlers came was a land that needed the hardy qualities they brought. It was not a land that was particularly softhearted towards newcomers, but everyone believed that each should have a fair chance regardless of his origin.

  Harry S. Truman

  Should Have, Land, America

  United States. President (1945-1953 : Truman), Harry S. Truman (1964). “Harry S. Truman: Containing the Public Messages, Speeches, and Statements of the President, 1945-53”

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• The newcomers quickly learned their way about and soon felt at home. The Homestead Act of 1862 provided them, as well as many other pioneers, with an opportunity to acquire land and establish family farms. To the land-hungry immigrants, the tough prairie sod seemed a golden opportunity and they conquered it by hard work.

  Harry S. Truman

  Hard Work, Home, Opportunity

  United States. President (1945-1953 : Truman), Harry S. Truman (1964). “Harry S. Truman: Containing the Public Messages, Speeches, and Statements of the President, 1945-53”

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• One hundred and fifty years ago the vacant lands of the West were opened to private use. One hundred years ago the Congress passed the Homestead Act, probably the single greatest stimulus to national development ever enacted. Under the impetus of that Act and other laws, more than 1.1 billion acres of the original public main have been transferred to private and non-federal public ownership. The 768 million acres remaining in federal ownership are a valuable national asset.

  John F. Kennedy

  Years, Law, Land

  "John F. Kennedy: 1961 : containing the public messages, speeches, and statements of the president, January 20 to December 31, 1961" by John F. Kennedy, Washington: Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Service, General Services Administration, 1962.

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• I've long believed that one of the mainsprings of our own liberty has been the widespread ownership of property among our people and the expectation that anyone's child, even from the humblest of families, could grow up to own a business or a corporation. Thomas Jefferson dreamed of a land of small farmers, of shopowners, and merchants. Abraham Lincoln signed into law the Homestead Act that ensured that the great western prairies of America would be the realm of independent, propertyowning citizens-a mightier guarantee of freedom is difficult to imagine.

  Ronald Reagan

  Children, Growing Up, Independent

  United States. President (1981-1989 : Reagan), Ronald Reagan (1982). “Ronald Reagan”

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• We asked for God's help; and now, in this shining outcome, in this magnificent triumph of good over evil, we should thank God.

  George H. W. Bush

  Evil, Shining, Thank God

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• Every new and successful example of a perfect separation between ecclesiastical and civil matters is of importance.

  James Madison

  Successful, Perfect, Atheism

  James Madison, David B. Mattern (1997). “James Madison's "Advice to My Country"”, p.89, University of Virginia Press

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• We admit of no government by divine right, believing that so far as power is concerned the Beneficent Creator has made no distinction amongst men; that all are upon an equality, and that the only legitimate right to govern is an express grant of power from the governed.

  William Henry Harrison

  Believe, Men, Divine Right

  David A. Durfee, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, United States. President (1841-1845 : Tyler) (1970). “William Henry Harrison, 1773-1841: John Tyler, 1790-1862; chronology, documents, bibliographical aids”, Oceana Pubns

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• We all agree that neither the Government nor political parties ought to interfere with religious sects. It is equally true that religious sects ought not to interfere with the Government or with political parties. We believe that the cause of good government and the cause of religion both suffer by all such interference.

  Rutherford B. Hayes

  Religious, Party, Believe

  Rutherford B. Hayes' Speech in Marion, Ohio, July 31, 1875.

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• In my judgment it is the duty of Congress, while respecting to the uttermost the conscientious convictions and religious scruples of every citizen, to prohibit within its jurisdiction all criminal practices ... Nor can any ecclesiastical organization be safely permitted to usurp in the smallest degree the functions and powers of the National Government.

  James A. Garfield

  Religious, Government, Organization

  "Inaugural Speeches from the Presidents of the United States".

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• I know that human prejudice - especially that growing out of race and religion - is cruelly inveterate and lasting.

  Grover Cleveland

  Race, Atheism, Church

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• There is nothing so despicable as a secret society that is based upon religious prejudice and that will attempt to defeat a man because of his religious beliefs. Such a society is like a cockroach - it thrives in the dark. So do those who combine for such an end.

  William Howard Taft

  Religious, Dark, Men

  Speech to the Young Men's Hebrew Association in New York, December 20, 1914.

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• It does not become America that within her borders, where every man is free to follow the dictates of his conscience, men should raise the cry of church against church. To do that is to strike at the very spirit and heart of America.

  Woodrow Wilson

  Heart, Men, America

  Woodrow Wilson, Arthur Stanley Link (1980). “The Papers of Woodrow Wilson”

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• May it not suffice for me to say ... that of course like every other man of intelligence and education I do believe in organic evolution. It surprises me that at this late date such questions should be raised.

  Woodrow Wilson

  Believe, Men, Atheism

  Woodrow Wilson, Arthur Stanley Link (1993). “The Papers of Woodrow Wilson”

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• In the experiences of a year of the Presidency, there has come to me no other such unwelcome impression as the manifest religious intolerance which exists among many of our citizens. I hold it to be a menace to the very liberties we boast and cherish.

  Warren G. Harding

  Religious, Years, Atheism

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• I come of Quaker stock. My ancestors were persecuted for their beliefs. Here they sought and found religious freedom. By blood and conviction I stand for religious tolerance both in act and in spirit.

  Herbert Hoover

  Religious, Blood, Tolerance

  Herbert Hoover (1929). “The New Day: Campaign Speeches of Herbert Hoover, 1928”, p.36, Stanford University Press

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• The lessons of religious toleration - a toleration which recognizes complete liberty of human thought, liberty of conscience - is one which, by precept and example, must be inculcated in the hearts and minds of all Americans if the institutions of our democracy are to be maintained and perpetuated. We must recognize the fundamental rights of man. There can be no true national life in our democracy unless we give unqualified recognition to freedom of religious worship and freedom of education.

  Franklin D. Roosevelt

  Religious, Heart, Men

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• The public schools shall be free from sectarian influences and, above all, free from any attitude of hostility to the adherents of any particular creed.

  Franklin D. Roosevelt

  Attitude, School, Atheism

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• Religious and racial persecution is moronic at all times, perhaps the most idiotic of human stupidities.

  Harry S. Truman

  Religious, Stupidity, Church

  Harry S. Truman (2015). “Where the Buck Stops: The Personal and Private Writings of Harry S. Truman”, p.146, New Word City

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• And I should like to assure you, my Islamic friends, that under the American Constitution, under American tradition, and in American hearts, this Center, this place of worship, is just as welcome as could be a similar edifice of any other religion. Indeed, America would fight with her whole strength for your right to have here your own church and worship according to your own conscience. This concept is indeed a part of America, and without that concept we would be something else than what we are.

  Dwight D. Eisenhower

  Islamic, Heart, Fighting

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• Whatever one's religion in his private life may be, for the officeholder, nothing takes precedence over his oath to uphold the Constitution and all its parts - including the First Amendment and the strict separation of church and state.

  John F. Kennedy

  Atheism, Church, May

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• As you know, the separation of church and state is not subject to discussion or alteration. Under our Constitution no church or religion can be supported by the U.S. Government. We maintain freedom of religion so that an American can either worship in the church of his choice or choose to go to no church at all.

  Richard M. Nixon

  Government, Choices, Church

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• I believe in the separation of church and state and would not use my authority to violate this principle in any way.

  Jimmy Carter

  Believe, Church, Atheism

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• We believe in separation of church and state, that there should be no unwarranted influence on the church or religion by the state, and vice versa.

  Jimmy Carter

  Believe, Church, Vices

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• Every dollar released from taxation that is spared or invested will help create a new job and a new salary.

  John F. Kennedy

  Jobs, New Job, Salary

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• I'm mindful in a free society that people can worship if they want to or not. You're equally an American if you choose to worship an almighty and if you choose not to.

  George W. Bush

  People, Atheism, Church

  Third Presidential Debate, www.washingtonpost.com. October 13, 2004.

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