Robert M. La Follette, Sr. Quotes

Men must be aggressive for what is right if government is to be saved from men who are aggressive for what is wrong.

Let no man think we can deny civil liberty to others and retain it for ourselves.

The will of the people shall be the law of the land

God, how patient are Thy poor! These corporations and masters of manipulation in finance heaping up great fortunes by a system of legalized extortion, and then exacting from the contributors-to whom a little means so much-a double share to guard the treasure!

Democracy is a life, and involves continual struggle.

Wealth has never yet sacrificed itself on the altar of patriotism.

Publicity, discussion, and agitation are necessary to accomplish any work of lasting benefit.

Let no man think we can deny civil liberty to others and retain it for ourselves. When zealous agents of the Government arrest suspected "radicals" without warrant, hold them without prompt trial, deny them access to counsel and admission of bail....we have shorn the Bill of Rights of its sanctity.

In times of peace, the war party insists on making preparation for war. As soon as prepared for, it insists on making war.

Every nation has its war party. It is not the party of democracy. It is the party of autocracy. It seeks to dominate absolutely.

If there is no sufficient reason for war, the war party will make war on one pretext, then invent another.

The principle of free speech is no new doctrine born of the Constitution of the United States. It is a heritage of English-speaking peoples, which has been won by incalculable sacrifice, and which they must preserve so long as they hope to live as free men.

Every nation has its war party... It is commercial, imperialistic, ruthless. It tolerates no opposition.

Before the war is ended, the war party assumes the divine right to denounce and silence all opposition to war as unpatriotic and cowardly.