Enslave the liberty of but one human being and the liberties of the world are put in peril.

Little boldness is needed to assail the opinions and practices of notoriously wicked men; but to rebuke great and good men for their conduct, and to impeach their discernment, is the highest effort of moral courage.

We may be personally defeated, but our principles never!

Since the creation of the world there has been no tyrant like Intemperance, and no slaves so cruelly treated as his.

Our country is the world, our countrymen are all mankind. We love the land of our nativity, only as we love all other lands. The interests, rights, and liberties of American citizens are no more dear to us than are those of the whole human race. Hence we can allow no appeal to patriotism, to revenge any national insult or injury.

In firing his gun, John Brown has merely told what time of day it is. It is high noon.

I will be as harsh as truth, and uncompromising as justice... I am in earnest, I will not equivocate, I will not excuse, I will not retreat a single inch, and I will be heard.