I maintain that when he says, after the Supreme Court has decided the question, that the people may yet exclude slavery by any means whatever, he does virtually say that it is not a question for the Supreme Court.
In the third debate with Stephen Douglas, Lincoln argued that Douglas's stance on popular sovereignty contradicted the Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision.
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As a general rule I abstain from reading the reports of attacks upon myself, wishing not to be provoked by that to which I cannot properly offer an answer.
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.
The question is, will it be wiser to take it as it is and help to improve it, or to reject and disperse it?
I am considering, and shall not fail to act when satisfied that action will be proper.
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