The dangers which threaten us are twofold: First, from the Confederate forces, composed of men whose earnest convictions and reckless bravery it is idle to deny.

It is idle to await unanimity.

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

Property that endangers the safety of a nation should not be suffered to remain in the hands of its citizens.

Men acquiesce in a thousand things, once righteously and boldly done, to which, if proposed to them in advance, they might find endless objections.

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

And I hereby distinctly and emphatically declare that I consider myself, and earnestly desire to be considered by others, as utterly divested, now and during the rest of my life, of any such rights, the barbarous relics of a feudal, despotic system.