Abraham Lincoln: “I hold that he is as much entitled to these as the white man.”

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.

Grant that he desires the elective franchise, will he not attain it sooner by saving the already advanced steps towards it, than by running backward over them?

I do the very best I know how--the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end.

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