The individual who refuses to defend his rights when called by his Government, deserves to be a slave, and must be punished as an enemy of his country and friend to her foe.
Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) American politician, general, US President (1829-1837)
“Proclamation to the People of Louisiana” (21 Sep 1814)
Quotations by:
Jackson, Andrew
One man with courage makes a majority.
Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) American politician, general, US President (1829-1837)
(Attributed)
Frequently attributed to Jackson (by everyone from Bobby Kennedy to Ronald Reagan), but it has never been found in Jackson's writings, and there is no record from the time of his having said it.
Peace, above all things, is to be desired, but blood must sometimes be spilled to obtain it on equable and lasting terms.
Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) American politician, general, US President (1829-1837)
(Attributed)
I have accustomed myself to receive with respect the opinions of others, but always take the responsibility of deciding for myself.
Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) American politician, general, US President (1829-1837)
(Attributed)
Quoted by John F. Kennedy in the foreword to T. Sorensen, Decision-Making in the White House: The Olive Branch or the Arrows (1963)
Corporations have neither bodies to kick nor souls to damn.
Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) American politician, general, US President (1829-1837)
(Spurious)
Popularly attributed to Jackson, but no published source found. Edward Thurlow (1731-1806) has been credited with the similar "Corporations have neither bodies to be punished, nor souls to be condemned, they therefore do as they like" and "It has no soul to damn and no body to kick."
As long as our government is administered for the good of the people, and is regulated by their will; as long as it secures to us the rights of persons and of property, liberty of conscience, and of the press, it will be worth defending.
Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) American politician, general, US President (1829-1837)
Inaugural address (4 Mar 1829)
Full text.
The great can protect themselves, but the poor and humble require the arm and shield of the law.
Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) American politician, general, US President (1829-1837)
Letter to John Quincy Adams (26 Aug 1821)
Whilst I concur with the synod in the efficacy of prayer and in the hope that our country may be preserved from the attack of pestilence … I am constrained to decline the appointment of any period or mode as proper for the public manifestation of this reliance. I could not do otherwise without transcending the limits prescribed by the Constitution for the President and without feeling that I might in some degree disturb the security which religion nowadays enjoys in this country in its complete separation from the political concerns of the General Government.
Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) American politician, general, US President (1829-1837)
Letter to the Synod of the Reformed Church of North America (12 Jun 1832)
On declining their request during a cholera epidemic for a national "day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer."
The brave man inattentive to his duty, is worth little more to his country, than the coward who deserts her in the hour of danger.
Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) American politician, general, US President (1829-1837)
To troops who abandoned their lines during the Battle of New Orleans (8 Jan 1815)
There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses. If it would confine itself to equal protection, and, as Heaven does its rains, shower its favors alike on the high and the low, the rich and the poor, it would be an unqualified blessing.
Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) American politician, general, US President (1829-1837)
Veto Mesage Regarding the Bank of the United States [2] (10 July 1832)
It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. Distinctions in society will always exist under every just government. Equality of talents, of education, or of wealth can not be produced by human institutions. In the full enjoyment of the gifts of Heaven and the fruits of superior industry, economy, and virtue, every man is equally entitled to protection by law; but when the laws undertake to add to these natural and just advantages artificial distinctions, to grant titles, gratuities, and exclusive privileges, to make the rich richer and the potent more powerful, the humble members of society — the farmers, mechanics, and laborers — who have neither the time nor the means of securing like favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustice of their government.
Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) American politician, general, US President (1829-1837)
Veto Message Regarding the Bank of the United States (10 Jul 1832)