"Among the many and diverse elements which, during three centuries, have mingled together to form the American Nation, there is none exhibit a more persistent and commanding individuality than the Scotch Irish. The people of that stock, who migrated hither in large numbers before the Revolution, seemed to possess the very qualities that would insure success and leadership... Early in American history they began to exercise influences greatly disproportionate to their numbers..."
From "Life of James G. Blaine" ( Maine Congressman, U.S. Congressman, three term Speaker of the House, Senator and Secretary of State) by Willis Fletcher Johnson, A.M.

"We were apprehensive about the Northern Indians. I therefore thought it might be prudent to plant a settlement of such men as those who formerly had so bravely defended Londonderry and Inniskillen as a frontier defense in case of any disturbance".
James Logan, Ulster-born Secretary of State, Pennsylvania
Early 18th century

"If defeated everywhere else, I will make my stand for liberty among the Scots-Irish of my native Virginia".
General George Washington

"The Scots-Irish were the first to proclaim for freedom of these United States; even before Lexington, Scots-Irish blood had been shed for American freedom. In the forefront of every battle was seen their burnished mail and in the retreat was heard their voice of constancy".
President William McKinley

General Robert E. Lee was once asked this question: "What race of people do you believe make the best soldiers?" His reply: "The Scots who came to this country by way of Ireland".

"The national traits which characterized this company of emigrants were deeply and strongly marked... Although they came ... from Ireland ... they retained unmixed the national Scotch character... The Scotch as a nation are plain, frugal, frank, and somewhat rough... The next remarkable feature has been courage... As a people they have never shrunk from peril... So it was in the Indian and French Wars. So it was after the news of the battle of Lexington. While ready to maintain their own and their neighbor's rights, they have ... never been backward in proclaiming their own merits ... not conceited ... but (people) who knew their own strength... Another prominent trait ... was their ready wit. No subject was kept sacred from it; the thoughtless and the grave, the old and the young alike enjoyed it ... a grotesque yet serious pathos and strangeness about them... It was the Scotch Covenanter softened by a centuries residence abroad, amid persecution and trial ... and then grown wild in the woods (of) New England. ... The disposition to humor, rioting, and laughter, was only on the surface ... while the strong granite features of Scotland were fixed deep in the soul. They were a devout religious people ... with Presbyterian predilections, confirmed by inhuman massacres, extortions, and wars."
Excerpts from: Rev. Edward L. Parker; "History of Londonderry, Vol. 1" Perkins and Whipple, Boston 1851

"It is doubtful if we fully realize the part played by this stern and virile people. They formed the kernal of the American stock who were the pioneers of of our People in the march westwards. They were bold and hardy people who pushed beyond the settled regions of America and plunged into the wilderness as the leaders of the white advance. The Presbyterians were the first and last set of immigrants to do this; all others have merely followed in the wake of their predecessors".
President Theodore Roosevelt

"The Scots-Irish had a system of religious faith and worship which has ever borne an inflexible front to illusion and mendacity, and has preferred rather to be ground to powder like flint than to bend before violence or melt under enervating temptation".
J.A. Froude
19th century historian