The door of conciliation and compromise is finally closed by our adversaries, and it remains only to us to meet the conflict with the dignity and firmness of men worthy of freedom.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
We have not sought this conflict; we have sought too long to avoid it; our forbearance has been construed into weakness, our magnanimity into fear, until the vindication of our manhood, as well as the defence of our rights, is required at our hands.
The economic and political roots of the conflicts are too strong for us to pretend to create a lasting state of harmonious understanding between men.
You can only end a negotiation for peace if you begin it.
The quest for freedom, dignity, and the rights of man will never end.
The 'morality of compromise' sounds contradictory. Compromise is usually a sign of weakness, or an admission of defeat. Strong men don't compromise, it is said, and principles should never be compromised.
Compromise is but the sacrifice of one right or good in the hope of retaining another - too often ending in the loss of both.
We extend our hand towards peace. Our people are committed to peace. We know that peace entails painful compromise for both sides.
If you want to bring an end to long-standing conflict, you have to be prepared to compromise.
Let us move from the era of confrontation to the era of negotiation.
My door will always be open to those who genuinely renounce violence and seek peaceful accommodation into our nascent democracy.