Idea is a noble one — an idea that fills and expands all generous souls; the idea of equality — the equality of all men before human tribunals and human laws, as they all are equal before the Divine tribunal and Divine laws.

The whole hope of human progress is suspended on the ever-growing influence of the Bible.

But there is a higher law than the Constitution, which regulates our authority over the domain, and devotes it to the same noble purposes.

Therefore, states are equal in natural rights.

But I deny that the Constitution recognizes property in man.

Revolutions never go backward.

But the Constitution was made not only for southern and northern states, but for states neither northern nor southern, namely, the western states, their coming in being foreseen and provided for.