Abraham Lincoln: “I believe he is a brave and able man, and I stand here, as justice requires me to do, to take upon myself what has been…”

I believe that it is not only possible, but in fact easier, to do this without deciding or even considering whether these States have ever been out of the Union, than with it.

I am considering, and shall not fail to act when satisfied that action will be proper.

If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won't amount to anything.

I do the very best I know how--the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end.