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

I deem it established, then, that the Constitution does not recognize property in man, but leaves that question, as between the states, to the law of nature and of nations.

There is a higher law than the Constitution.

But you answer, that the Constitution recognizes property in slaves. It would be sufficient, then, to reply, that this constitutional recognition must be void, because it is repugnant to the law of nature and of nations.

It would be contrary to the spirit of the American Government to use force to subjugate the South.

Simultaneously with the establishment of the Constitution, Virginia ceded to the United States her domain, which then extended to the Mississippi, and was even claimed to extend to the Pacific Ocean.

The United States are a political state, or organized society, whose end is government, for the security, welfare, and happiness of all who live under its protection.