Abraham Lincoln: “We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.”

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.

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

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.

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