From George Washington:

To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving the peace.

The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged and destroyed, and themselves consigned to a state of wretchedness from which no human efforts will deliver them. The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.

Democratical States must always feel before they can see: it is this that makes their Governments slow, but the people will be right at last.

Government is not reason, it is not eloquence—it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.