To be or not to be is not the question, the vital question is how to be and how not to be.

A prophet's true greatness is his ability to hold God and man in a single thought.

With malice towards none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right

I am naturally anti-slavery. If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong. I can not remember when I did not so think, and feel.

If, by the mere force of numbers, a majority should deprive a minority of any clearly written constitutional right, it might, in a moral point of view, justify revolution—certainly would, if such a right were a vital one.

To give the victory to the right, not bloody bullets, but peaceful ballots only, are necessary.

This is a world of compensations; and he who would be no slave, must consent to have no slave. Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves and under a just God, can not long retain it.

This is essentially a people's contest…. It is a struggle for maintaining in the world that form and substance of government whose leading object is to elevate the condition of men—to lift artificial weights from all shoulders—to clear the paths of laudable pursuit for all—to afford all an unfettered start, and a fair chance, in the race of life.

These men ask for just the same thing, fairness, and fairness only. This, so far as in my power, they, and all others, shall have.

Whenever there is a conflict between human rights and property rights, human rights must prevail.

Washington's is the mightiest name of earth - long since mightiest in the cause of civil liberty; still mightiest in moral reformation. On that name no eulogy is expected. It cannot be. To add brightness to the sun, or glory to the name of Washington, is alike impossible. Let none attempt it. In solemn awe pronounce the name, and in its naked deathless splendor leave it shining on.

Lets have faith that right makes might and in that faith let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.