13+ William Lee Miller Quotes On Education, Slavery And Civil War

William Lee Miller was an American historian and consultant. He was a professor at the University of Virginia, and he was known for his work on the history of religion, politics, and civil rights. He wrote several books on the topics, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Arguing About Slavery: The Great Battle in the United States Congress." Following is our collection on famous quotes by William Lee Miller on education, slavery, life.

There was specific constitutional provision for emergency measures in the case that Abraham Lincoln faced - an insurrection - which no other president has faced. — William Lee Miller

Abraham Lincoln had great clarity of mind and expression, and he worked to make it clearer -reading Euclid in his early 30s to train his mind. — William Lee Miller

I do not think you can fault Abraham Lincoln for picking generals that did not work out, because, as he said to John Hay when he went back to George B. McClellan in the fall of 62, we have to work with what we have. — William Lee Miller

It is very hard to answer the oft-posed questions about how Abraham Lincoln would respond to some current condition. My favorite story on that count is that the late great Lincoln scholar Don Fehrebacher was asked, during the struggles over bussing for racial balance a few years ago, what Lincoln would say about "bussing" and he thought awhile and then answered : "what Lincoln would say would be: "What's a bus?" — William Lee Miller

The US did not have any big supply of good generals in Civil War, and some it did have went with the rebels. If Robert E.Lee had stayed with his country the story would have been different. — William Lee Miller

After I published a book called Lincoln's Virtues a wit said that my next book should be Lincoln's Vices. But in my opinion that would be a short book! — William Lee Miller

Abraham Lincoln was not philosopher, exactly. But he did have a strong mind, which sought generalizations as well as particulars. He had a terrific memory. — William Lee Miller

Yes, the rise in corporate power had roots in the gearing up for the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln was a Whig, a supporter of government aid to expanding industry - to "internal improvements" that supported the growth of business. He was an early capitalist, not one who wanted to preserve some rural paradise. — William Lee Miller

Abraham Lincoln did not contend that his actions were immune from Congressional correction; on the contrary, he specifically said he was acting beyond the present provisions in the expectation that congress would retroactively approve, which they did. He did not say anything like Richard Nixon: if the president does it is legal. — William Lee Miller

I am asked often about Abraham Lincoln's mistakes and faults; he certainly made some mistakes. I have chapter in President Lincoln about the Powhatan affair that was a royal screw-up in the early days - right alongside the Sumter affair. Lincoln signed letters he should not signed, and the ship was sent to two places at one under two captains etc. Fortunately, no great harm. Lincoln took the blame and did not do anything like that again. — William Lee Miller

The situation Abraham Lincoln faced was unique. In his view, the United States was threatened with destruction, ruin, overthrow, perishing - all words that he used - which is not the case for any other president, including the current one - Barack Obama. — William Lee Miller

Abraham Lincoln had a deep realism; he did not deceive or mislead himself, but faced the world he had to deal with as it really is. At the same time, he had a striking moral intelligence, and a confidence in the working of his own mind and conscience. — William Lee Miller

All presidents - particularly war presidents, presidents inclined to the imperial presidency - invoke Abraham Lincoln as a justification, but they omit these three defenses of Lincoln's strong actions. Suspend habeas, blockade, increase army without congress, arrest Maryland legislators, etc. — William Lee Miller

Life Lessons by William Lee Miller

1. William Lee Miller's work emphasizes the importance of understanding the history and context of the law, as well as the need for dialogue and compromise in order to create effective legislation.
2. His work also highlights the importance of understanding the implications of laws on individuals and society, and the need for laws to be reflective of the values of the people they are intended to serve.
3. Finally, Miller's work emphasizes the need for laws to be balanced, fair, and just in order to ensure that all members of society are treated equally and have access to justice.