After voluntary exertions on the part of our people to which the history of the world furnishes no parallel, is the old root of bitterness still to remain in the ground, to sprout and bear fruit in the future as it has borne fruit in the past?

We can constitutionally extirpate slavery at this time.

The worship of words is more pernicious than the worship of images. Grammatolatry is the worst species of idolatry.

Men ever follow willingly a daring leader: most willingly of all, in great emergencies.

Wisdom, prudence, forethought, these are essential. But not second to these that noble courage which adventures the right, and leaves the consequences to God.

The people are forbidden to give aid and comfort to rebels. What of a government that has the power to cut off from aid and comfort all the rebels of the South and fails to exercise it?

It is idle to await unanimity.