Personally I do not resort to force — not even the force of law — to advance moral reforms. I prefer education, argument, persuasion, and above all the influence of example — of fashion. Until these resources are exhausted I would not think of force.

On attempts at an alcohol prohibition amendment, in his Diary (9 October 1883) - Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1922 - 1926)