African slavery, as it exists in the United States, is a moral, a social, and a political blessing.

Let men not ask what the law requires, but give whatever freedom demands.

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.

Tradition usually rests upon something which men did know; history is often the manufacture of the mere liar.

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

Without doing injustice to the living, it may safely be asserted that our loss is irreparable; and that among the shining hosts of the great and good who now cluster around the banner of the country, there exists no purer spirit, no more heroic soul, than that of the illustrious man whose death I join you in lamenting.

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