Moral courage.
1857. Backbone is the material which is designed to make an upright man.—The Republic, n.d. (Bartlett).
1865. A great man he [Cardinal Wiseman] could never have been, under any system, for his character was destitute of backbone.—Sat. Rev., Feb. 18, p. 195/1. (N.E.D.)
1881. The President [Garfield] did not kick. With that lack of backbone which passes so often for Christian resignation, he humbly submitted to as grave an insult as it was possible to put upon a man.—The Capital (Washington), July 17.
