Nations thus tempted to interfere are not always able to resist the counsels of seeming expediency and ungenerous ambition, although measures adopted under such influences seldom fail to be unfortunate and injurious to those adopting them.
 Abraham Lincoln, State of the Union Address (3 December 1861). copy citation

edit
Author Abraham Lincoln
Source State of the Union Address
Topic independence nation interference
Date 3 December 1861
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/5024/5024-h/5024-h.htm

Context

“A disloyal portion of the American people have during the whole year been engaged in an attempt to divide and destroy the Union. A nation which endures factious domestic division is exposed to disrespect abroad, and one party, if not both, is sure sooner or later to invoke foreign intervention.
Nations thus tempted to interfere are not always able to resist the counsels of seeming expediency and ungenerous ambition, although measures adopted under such influences seldom fail to be unfortunate and injurious to those adopting them. The disloyal citizens of the United States who have offered the ruin of our country in return for the aid and comfort which they have invoked abroad have received less patronage and encouragement than they probably expected.” source

Meaning and analysis

write a note
report