The power confided in me will be used to hold, occupy and possess the property and places belonging to the government, and to collect the duties and imposts.

I can only say that I have acted upon my best convictions, without selfishness or malice, and that by the help of God I shall continue to do so.

The US patent system adds the fuel of interest to the fire of genius in the discovery and production of new and useful things

Let there be no compromise on the question of extending slavery. If there be, all our labor is lost, and, ere long, must be done again.

My policy is to have no policy.

I have stepped out upon this platform that I may see you and that you may see me, and in the arrangement I have the best of the bargain.

When Judge Douglas says that whoever, or whatever community, wants slaves, they have a right to have them, he is perfectly logical if there is nothing wrong in the institution; but if you admit that it is wrong, he cannot logically say that anybody has a right to do wrong.