Abraham Lincoln: “The public purpose to reestablish and maintain the national authority is unchanged, and, as we believe, unchangeable.”

If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.

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

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.

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.