I walk slowly, but never backwards.

I do not wish to be misunderstood upon this subject of slavery in this country. I suppose it may long exist, and perhaps the best way for it to come to an end peaceably is for it to exist for a length of time. But I say that the spread and strengthening and perpetuation of it is an entirely different proposition. There we should in every way resist it as a wrong, treating it as a wrong, with the fixed idea that it must and will come to an end.

I am not in favor of making voters or jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office.

Your organization will take on the personality of its top leaders

To lead, you must touch men's hearts.

When I go hear a man speak, I like to hear him speak like he's fighting a swarm of bees.

Relying, as I do, upon the Almighty Power, and encouraged as I am by these resolutions which you have just read, with the support which I receive from Christian men, I shall not hesitate to use all the means at my control to secure the termination of this rebellion, and will hope for success.