March 8: Remembering Two US Presidents
Two U.S. presidents—William Howard Taft and Millard Fillmore—died on the same date, March 8, albeit 56 years apart. Take a moment to read excerpts from their speeches while in office.
William Howard Taft, former U.S. president (September 15, 1857–March 8, 1930)
“Anyone who has taken the oath I have just taken must feel a heavy weight of responsibility. If not, he has no conception of the powers and duties of the office upon which he is about to enter, or he is lacking in a proper sense of the obligation which the oath imposes.” —William Howard Taft
Taft, William Howard. “Inaugural Address of William Howard Taft.” Yale Law School, March 4, 1909, https://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/taft.asp.
“Our international policy is always to promote peace. We shall enter into any war with a full consciousness of the awful consequences that it always entails, whether successful or not, and we, of course, shall make every effort consistent with national honor and the highest national interest to avoid a resort to arms.” —William Howard Taft
Taft, William Howard. “Inaugural Address of William Howard Taft.” Yale Law School, March 4, 1909, https://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/taft.asp.
“The negroes are now Americans. Their ancestors came here years ago against their will, and this is their only country and their only flag. They have shown themselves anxious to live for it and to die for it. Encountering the race feeling against them, subjected at times to cruel injustice growing out of it, they may well have our profound sympathy and aid in the struggle they are making. We are charged with the sacred duty of making their path as smooth and easy as we can.” —William Howard Taft
Taft, William Howard. “Inaugural Address of William Howard Taft.” Yale Law School, March 4, 1909, https://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/taft.asp.
Millard Fillmore, former U.S. president (January 7, 1800–March 8, 1874)
“Nations, like individuals in a state of nature, are equal and independent, possessing certain rights and owing certain duties to each other, arising from their necessary and unavoidable relations; which rights and duties there is no common human authority to protect and enforce. Still, they are rights and duties, binding in morals, in conscience, and in honor, although there is no tribunal to which an injured party can appeal but the disinterested judgment of mankind, and ultimately the arbitrament of the sword.” —Millard Fillmore
Fillmore, Millard. “First Annual Message.” The American Presidency Project, December 2, 1850, https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/first-annual-message-7.
“The great law of morality ought to have a national as well as a personal and individual application. We should act toward other nations as we wish them to act toward us, and justice and conscience should form the rule of conduct between governments, instead of mere power, self interest, or the desire of aggrandizement.” —Millard Fillmore
Fillmore, Millard. “First Annual Message.” The American Presidency Project, December 2, 1850, https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/first-annual-message-7.
“The Government of the United States is a limited Government. It is confined to the exercise of powers expressly granted and such others as may be necessary for carrying those powers into effect; and it is at all times an especial duty to guard against any infringement on the just rights of the States.” —Millard Fillmore
Fillmore, Millard. “First Annual Message.” The American Presidency Project, December 2, 1850, https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/first-annual-message-7.
*
Enjoy daily quotes and inspiration wherever you are! Download our Brilliant Quotes app for Apple or Android. Browse by author or category, read our quote of the day, vote for your favorite quotes, and share inspirational quotes on social media.
