With this honor devolves upon you also a corresponding responsibility. As the country herein trusts you, so under God it will sustain you.

When I came of age I did not know much. Still somehow, I could read, write, and cipher to the Rule of Three.... The little advanceI now have upon this store of education, I have picked up from time to time under the pressure of necessity.

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.

While I have often said that all men out to be free, yet I would allow those colored persons to be slaves who want to be; and next to them those white persons who argue in favor of making other people slaves. I am in favor of giving an opportunity to such white men to try it on for themselves.

Nothing new here, except my marrying, which to me is a matter of profound wonder.

If you have never failed you have never lived.

I expect to maintain this contest until successful, or till I die, or am conquered, or my term expires, or Congress or the country forsakes me.