Indeed, abolition societies existed as far south as Virginia; and it is a well-known fact that Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Lee, Henry, Mason, and Pendleton were qualified abolitionists, and much more radical on that subject than we of the Whig and Democratic parties claim to be to-day.
Lincoln asserts that many Southern Founding Fathers held stronger anti-slavery sentiments than current political parties, highlighting a historical shift.
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The question is, will it be wiser to take it as it is and help to improve it, or to reject and disperse it?
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.
He said, with a great deal of emphasis, and with an expression of countenance I shall never forget: "When a man is sincerely penitent for his misdeeds, and gives satisfactory evidence of the same, he can safely be pardoned, and there is no…
If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won't amount to anything.
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