Abraham Lincoln: “I will say now, however, I approve the declaration in favor of so amending the Constitution as to prohibit slavery…”

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

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

Unlike a case of war between independent nations, there is no organized organ for us to treat with,--no one man has authority to give up the rebellion for any other man.

Important principles may and must be inflexible.