Third, we could, while denouncing them both as illegal, have acquiesced in them both and thus remained neutral with both sides, although not agreeing with either as to the righteousness of their respective orders.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Neither with those nor with the others, with all I agree and dissent; in all part of truth and part of error must be seen.
We supported the contras. We're not against all opposition to government, or all paramilitary operations.
It is necessary to suppress any extremist actions, on all sides, regardless of their origin.
As to the Constitution and the Union, I have taken an oath to support the one, and I cannot do so without preserving the other, unless I commit perjury, which I certainly don't intend to do. We must cherish the Constitution to the last.
There are always two forces warring against each other within us.
The concept of neutrality can lead to a brooding and pervasive devotion to the secular and a passive, or even active, hostility to the religious. Such results are not only not compelled by the Constitution, but, it seems to me, are prohibited by it.
The American people do not like neutrality. They would rather a man were on the wrong side than on neither.
There are only two sides to this question. Every man must be for the United States or against it. There can be no neutrals in this war; only patriots and traitors.
First, we could have defied both of them and could have gone to war against both of these nations for this violation of international law and interference with our neutral rights.
Neutrality is a negative word. It does not express what America ought to feel. We are not trying to keep out of trouble; we are trying to preserve the foundations on which peace may be rebuilt.