Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward till it shall become alike lawful in all the States, old as well as new, North as well as South.
In his "House Divided" speech, Lincoln outlined the two stark paths he believed the nation would take regarding slavery: either its containment leading to extinction or its expansion to all states.
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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.
If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business.
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.
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