Lincoln Quote by Elihu Root
“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.”
About This Quote
Source Historical Document: Letter from Secretary of War to President Lincoln, 1862
The Secretary grew impatient with Lincoln's frequent pardons of men who should face execution.
In simple terms: He was frustrated by Lincoln's leniency.
Key Takeaway
Balance mercy with justice.
Themes
politics
justice
war
Mood
serious
analytical
Type
historical
When to use this quote
- civil war era
- government policy
Key Concepts
executive clemency
military discipline
Questions to Reflect On
- Is mercy always a weakness in wartime?
- When should leaders be lenient?
![“[Asked, upon the death of her fast friend and sister suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1816-1902), which period of their association she had enjoyed the most:] The days when the struggle was the hardest and the fight the thickest; when the whole world was against us and we had to stand the closer…” quote by Susan B. Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/305/susan-b-anthony-2103_ammunition_asked-upon-the-death-of-her-fast-friend_1576993.jpg)
