The two systems slave and free-labor are incompatible. They have never permanently existed together in one country, and they never can.

But assuming the same premises, to wit, that all men are equal by the law of nature and of nations, the right of property in slaves falls to the ground; for one who is equal to another cannot be the owner or property of that other.

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

I mean to say that Congress can hereafter decide whether any states, slave or free, can be framed out of Texas. If they should never be framed out of Texas, they never could be admitted.

The two systems slave and free-labor are incompatible. They have never permanently existed together in one country, and they never can.

Therefore, states are equal in natural rights.

There is a higher law than the Constitution.