Whitelaw Reid: “We believe in the right of secession as much as we ever did; but what difference does that make?”

You see, General, this is alarming, and you must acknowledge that we are not safe.

Congress is supreme, and, for all the purposes of this department, has all the powers of the people of the United States, except such as have been expressly or by implication reserved in the prohibitions of the Constitution.

Our national experience has demonstrated that public order reposes most securely on the broad base of universal suffrage.

The people have generally more education and refinement than in other parts of the State; their public improvements are better, and their country is every way more attractive.