Reconstruction Quotes

“At the sight of a single bone, of a single piece of bone, I recognize and reconstruct the portion of the whole from which it would have been taken. The whole being is rebuilt.”

“At the sight of a single bone, of a single piece of bone, I recognize and reconstruct the portion of the whole from which it would have been taken.”

“We are determined to rebuild our country on the basis of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”

“We cannot build a new South Africa on the ashes of the old.”

“The state was overrun with bands of Ku Klux, who were burning the school-houses and churches of the colored people and murdering their teachers.”

“We're going to get the power on. We're going to get the water on. We're going to get the sewers on. We're going to get the food distributed.”

“Let us, then, forgetting the past, except to derive from its bitter experience lessons for our future guidance, and looking only to the public welfare, harmoniously and unitedly labor for the promotion of the general good.”

“When the civil authorities are ready and willing to perform their duties, the military power should cease to lead, and the civil administration resume its natural and rightful dominion.”

“Reconstruction is not just about buildings; it is about rebuilding the soul of the nation.”

“So far from engaging in a war to perpetuate slavery, I am rejoiced that slavery is abolished.”

“Our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos.”

“Unless we can get the German people on our side, we can't do the job in Germany.”

“We are being realistic. We are not setting our hopes too high.”

“Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts.”

“The whole fabric of southern society must be changed, and it never can be done if this opportunity is lost.”

“Strip the proud nobility of their bloated estates, reduce them to a level with plain republicans, send them forth to labor and teach their children to enter the workshops or handle the plow, and you will thus humble the proud traitors.”

“The future condition of the conquered power depends on the will of the conqueror.”

“Treason is a crime and must be made odious.”

“We are dealing with a country that can really finance its own reconstruction and relatively soon.”