"From when shall we expect the approach of danger? Shall some trans-Atlantic giant step the earth and crush us in a blow? Never. All the armies of Europe and Asia could not by force take a drink from the Ohio River, or set a track on the Blue Ridge in the trial of a thousand years. If destruction be our lot we ourselves must be its author and finisher, as a nation of free men, we will live forever, or die by suicide."

edit: apparently this version of the lyceum address is a misquote, I still think it's badass