"Tender handed touch a nettle.
And it stings you for your pains;
Grasp it like a man of mettle,
Silk it in your hand remains."

The decision to throw over the tea in Boston harbor, to write "Charles
Carroll of Carrolton," and the courage to say, "Give me liberty or
give me death," gave us this government by and for the people.

"If you come to a river deep and wide,
And you've no canoe to skim it;
If your duty's on the other side,
Jump in, my boy, and swim it."

Have the courage to stand for what you believe to be right. You may
have to go ahead of public sentiment at times, but you will be
rewarded in having your conviction and conscience with you.

A number of years ago in Boston, I gave a temperance address on Sunday
afternoon in Music Hall. At the close of the lecture a friend said to
me: "You said some good things but though from the old bourbon State
of Kentucky, you are ahead of public sentiment in Boston."

I replied: "Public sentiment does not always indicate what is right
even in Boston. On your beautiful Commonwealth Avenue yesterday
afternoon I met an elegantly dressed lady, I suppose a wealthy one
from her jewels and dress. She had a poodle dog in her arms, with a
blue ribbon on its neck. Yet, the same woman wouldn't be caught
carrying her six-weeks' old baby down the street for any
consideration."