I don’t understand the question
I would say that most likely he was once a member of the military to use such a figure of speech, but also meaning that discretion would be the better part of valour to proceed with doing something positive for the community and win their hearts that way and perhaps influence their religion that way.
Senior class this is your last year here... hopefully , do you remembered when you were a freshman, sophomore, and a junior? did you think to yourself hey this school needs some fixing , or we can do a lil better in this area? well now's your chance , leave highschool with a bang
President Lincoln use C logical appeal