George Julian: “The Swamp Land Act of the same date, owing to its loose and unguarded provisions and shameful mal-administration, has…”

Its prizes are often rich and suddenly gained, and when they are sought through the forms of a law which compels a man to choose between an expensive and hazardous litigation and robbery, human nature is severely tried.

It tempts civilized men to become savages and savages to become devils.

It was completely at war with the genius and spirit of democratic government.

But as to slavery he seemed to have no conscience, regarding it as a matter of total moral indifference, and thus completely confounding the distinction between right and wrong.