I call it moral force, which is a good name, and I make the definition: a man of moral force is he who, seeing a thing to be right and essential and claiming his allegiance, stands for it as for the truth, unheeding any consequence.

It is not that he is a wild person, utterly reckless of all mad possibilities, filled with a madder hope, and indifferent to any havoc that may ensue.

No, but it is a first principle of his, that a true thing is a good thing, and from a good thing rightly pursued can follow no bad consequence.

And he faces every possible development with conscience at rest--it may be with trepidation for his own courage in some great ordeal, but for the nobility of the cause and the beauty of the result that must ensue, always with serene faith.

And soon the trepidation for himself passes, for a great cause always makes great men, and many who set out in hesitation die heroes.