A profile in courage (or as the commercial says what do you want on your tombstone?)

[scott smith]

Hello all,

About 12 years ago, on a trip to the White Mountains, we visited the New Hampshire statehouse and beside the statue of former NH Senator John Hale, was this quote from a speech of his. Those words floored me. Keep in mind that this was 15+ years before the start of the Civil War; didn't get a lot of votes in his 1852 presidential bid.

I had made periodic searches on the web, but was never able find the quote again. I tried the search today and was happy that it surfaced in the Google Book project.

Learned today, that Hale later served in the Lincoln's administration at that his daughter was engaged to John Wilkes Booth. Hadn't heard that before; truth stranger than fiction.

[scott smith]

Some people are having trouble reading the quote--might be tied to my Google profile; here is the quote:


“In conclusion I may be permitted to say that the measure of my ambitions will be full if I feel that when my earthly career shall be finished and bones be laid in the grave under the soil of New Hampshire, and my wife and my children shall repair thither to drop the tear of affection to my memory, they may read on my tombstone, the he who lies beneath surrendered office, place, and power rather than bow down and worship slavery.”

[Ian Carmichael]

Thanks, Scott,
I think Google is more generous to USA viewers than to the rest of the world - the best it would give me is a 'snippet view' which stops the quote at 'under the soil...'

Office, place and power are so destructive if they are our ambition. rather than consequences of of our character.

Great quote - thanks.