Every tone was a testimony against slavery, and a prayer to God for deliverance from chains.

One by one I have seen obstacles removed, errors corrected, prejudices softened, proscriptions relinquished, and my people advancing in all the elements that go to make up the sum of the general welfare. And I remember that God reigns in eternity, and that whatever delays, whatever disappointments and discouragements may come, truth, justice, liberty and humanity will ultimately prevail.

As those who believe in the visibility of ghosts can easily see them, so it is always easy to see repulsive qualities in those we despise and hate.

A little learning, indeed, may be a dangerous thing, but the want of learning is a calamity to any people.

No man can put a chain about the ankle of his fellow man without at last finding the other end fastened about his own neck.

Power and those in control concede nothing ... without a demand. Hey never have and never will... Each and every one of us must keep demanding, must keep fighting, must keep thundering, must keep plowing, must keep on keeping things struggling, must speak out and speak up until justice is served because where there is no justice there is no peace.

The man who will get up will be helped up; and the man who will not get up will be allowed to stay down.