Lay aside all rancor, all bitter sectional feeling, and to make your places in the ranks of those who will bring about a consummation devoutly to be wished—a reunited country.

Sir, it is true that republics have often been cradled in war, but more often they have met with a grave in that cradle. Peace is the interest, the policy, the nature of a popular Government. War may bring benefits to a few, but privation and loss are the lot of the many. An appeal to arms should be the last resort, and only by national rights or national honor can it be justified.

Governments rest on the consent of the governed, and that it is the right of the people to alter or abolish them at will whenever they become destructive of the ends for which they were established.

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

Pray excuse me. I cannot take it.

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

Be not haughty with the humble; be not humble with the haughty.