Nothing fills me with deeper sadness than to see a Southerner apologizing for the defense we made of our inheritance.

Nothing fills me with deeper sadness than to see a Southerner apologizing for the defense we made of our inheritance.

The contest is not over, the strife is not ended. It has only entered on a new and enlarged arena.

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

It is a duty we owe to posterity to see that our children shall know the virtues, and rise worthy of their sires.

If you will not have it thus: if in the pride of power, if in contempt of reason and reliance upon force, you say we shall not go, but shall remain as subjects to you, then, gentlemen of the North, a war is to be inaugurated the like of which men have not seen.

A restitution of the Union has been rendered forever impossible.