Without slavery the rebellion could never have existed; without slavery it could not continue.

Commitment is what transforms a promise into a reality... Commitment is the stuff character is made of; the power to change the face of things. It is the daily triumph of integrity over skepticism.

God bless the soldiers and seamen, with all their brave commanders.

Much is being said about peace; and no man desires peace more ardently than I. Still I am yet unprepared to give up the Union fora peace which, so achieved, could not be of much duration.

Let us renew our trust in god, and go forward without fear.

We must not promise what we ought not, lest we be called on to perform what we cannot.

I'm a slow walker, but I never walk back.