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About this quote

What does it mean?
Disloyal actions during war that hurt military morale warrant severe punishment.
In plain terms
Congress members who harm the military effort should be punished severely.
What can you take from it?
Disloyalty during war justifies severe punishment.

Where it applies

  • wartime governance
  • political dissent
  • national security

Putting it to work

  • evaluate wartime dissent
  • balance security and rights
  • define sabotage clearly

Questions to consider

  • How do we balance security and freedom?
  • What defines treason?

Another view

Punishment without trial violates democratic principles.

More from Abraham Lincoln

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  3. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You…

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