These were choice documents to me... They gave tongue to interesting thoughts of my own soul, which had frequently flashed through my mind, and died away for want of utterance.

Without Struggle There Is No Success

I glory in the conflict, that I may hereafter exult in the victory. I know that victory is certain.

Civil war was not a mere strife for territory and dominion, but a contest of civilization against barbarism.

It was unlawful, as well as unsafe, to teach a slave to read.

...there are at the present moment many colored men in the Confederate Army...as real soldiers, having muskets on their shoulders, and bullets in their pockets, ready to shoot down loyal troops, and do all that soldiers may do to destroy the Federal government...There were such soldiers at Manassas and they are probably there still.

If the Negro knows enough to pay taxes to support the government, he knows enough to vote; taxation and representation should go together. If he knows enough to shoulder a musket and fight for the flag, fight for the government, he knows enough to vote.