But I deny that the Constitution recognizes property in man.

We show our sympathy with slavery by emancipating slaves where we cannot reach them, and holding them in bondage where we can set them free.

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

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.

Therefore, states are equal in natural rights.

Sir, there is no Christian nation, thus free to choose as we are, which would establish slavery.

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