I believe the declaration that ‘all men are created equal’ is the great fundamental principle upon which our free institutions rest.

Must a government be too strong for the liberties of its people or too weak to maintain its own existence?

I have never had a feeling, politically, that did not spring from the Declaration of Independence that all should have an equal chance. This is the sentiment embodied in the Declaration of Independence, I would rather be assassinated on this spot than surrender it.

Let us strive on to finish the work we are in.

Calling a tail a leg does not make it a leg.

Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.

If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong.