If the good people in their wisdom shall see fit to keep me in the background, I have been too familiar with disappointments to bevery much chagrined.

I am struggling to maintain the government, not to overthrow it. I am struggling especially to prevent others from overthrowing it.

If there is a worse place than Hell, I am in it.

I say now, however, as I have all the while said, that on the territorial question - that is, the question of extending slavery under the national auspices, - I am inflexible. I am for no compromise which assists or permits the extension of the institution on soil owned by the nation.

My politics are short and sweet, like the old woman's dance.

I am glad to see that a system of labor prevails under which laborers can strike when they want to.

Peace does not appear so distant as it did. I hope it will come soon, and come to stay; and so come as to be worth the keeping in all future time.