Upon my weary heart was showered smiles, plaudits and flowers, but beyond them I saw troubles and thorns innumerable.

The Slave must be made fit for his freedom by education and discipline, and thus made unfit for slavery. And as soon as he becomes unfit for slavery, the master will no longer desire to hold him as a slave.

Vicksburg is the nail head that holds the South’s two halves together.

A question settled by violence, or in disregard of law, must remain unsettled forever.

I tried all in my power to avert this war. I saw it coming, for twelve years I worked night and day to prevent it, but I could not. The North was mad and blind; it would not let us govern ourselves, and so the war came, and now it must go on unless you acknowledge our right to self government. We are not fighting for slavery. We are fighting for Independence.

The troops of other states have their reputation to gain, the sons of the Alamo have theirs to maintain.

It is our duty to keep the memory of our heroes green. Yet they belong to the whole country; they belong to America.