As a nation we began by declaring that all me are created equal. We now practically read it, all men are created equal except Negroes.

If by the mere force of numbers a majority should deprive a minority of any clearly written constitutional right, it might, in a moral point of view, justify revolution.

The demon of intemperance ever seems to have delighted in sucking the blood of genius and of generosity. What one of us but can call to mind some relative more promising in youth than all his fellows, who has fallen a sacrifice to his rapacity?

I hold, that in contemplation of universal law, and of the Constitution, the Union of these States is perpetual.

Our adversaries [ the Confederate States of America ] have adopted some declarations of independence in which, unlike the good old one penned by Jefferson, they omit the words "all men are created equal." Why? They have adopted a temporary national constitution, in the preamble of which, unlike our good old one, signed by Washington, they omit "We, the People," and substitute "We, the deputies of the sovereign and independent States." Why? Why this deliberate pressing out of view, the rights of men, and the authority of the people?

Honest statesmanship is the wise employment of individual meanness for the public good.

If you intend to go to work there is no better place than right where you are; if you do not intend to go to work, you can not get along anywhere.