Concocted originally at Washington, with the single purpose of fastening Slavery upon the people of Kansas, it was by execrable contrivance so arranged as to prevent the people, when about to become a State, from voting on that question.

Next sanctioned by a convention of usurpers, who in no respect represented the people of Kansas, then fraudulently submitted to the people for their votes, it was fraudulently adopted by stuffing ballot-boxes on a scale never before known.

Unhappy President! after a long career of public service, not only tossed aside, but tossed over to perpetual memory as an example to be shunned!

Two circumstances, civilizing in themselves, exercised an unexpected influence for American Slavery: first, the abolition of the slave-trade, which by taking away the supply increased the value of slaves; and, secondly, the increased…

There is nothing in the National Government which the Oligarchy does not appropriate.

The soul sickens in contemplating the acts of dishonest tyranny perpetrated by this lordly power.

Nothing is truer than that injustice, beside its essential wickedness, is folly also.

And yet, with the truth flashing in their faces, our Slave-Masters misrepresent the sublime and beautiful act as a “failure”!

But even if the first be true,--which I utterly deny,--it does not follow that such property is sanctioned in the Constitution.

Here was a new government, which, taking its place among the nations, announced that it stood only on Right, and claimed no sovereignty inconsistent with Right.

And yet this transcendent principle is now degraded into a “dodge,” and the sacred name of Popular Sovereignty is prostituted to cover the claim of a master over his slave.

But instead of doing this openly and precisely, by simple words of repeal, language was invented to mystify the whole question.

The Slave-Masters who voted for these words rejected with scorn the idea that the handful of squatters could exclude Slavery.

Invasion, rapine, outrage, arson, rape, murder, the scalping-knife, were the agents now employed; and to crown this prostration of popular rights, Lawrence, home of New England settlers, and microcosm of New England life, was burned to the…

Let him follow this to its natural conclusion, and no Republican asks more.

So far as it means anything, it is simply this: that the people of a Territory have a right to introduce Slavery, but not to prohibit it.

The ancient price of Liberty was vigilance; and this price has not diminished of late years, especially when surrounded by men accustomed to power and stimulated by rage.

Sympathy, kindness, succor are due from man to man.

Of course the Common School was unknown; for, where Slavery rules, the schoolmaster is shut out.

And the grand charity for which we to-day bless our Commonwealth is only one of many by which she is already illustrious.

But it is sometimes complained that he has a “heart,” as if this were dangerous in a Massachusetts Governor; and fears are excited because he is “honest,” as if such a character could not be trusted.

Thank God, he has a heart, and is an honest man.

In these respects, and in his well-matured convictions, always expressed with honorable frankness, he embodies the historic idea of Massachusetts, and treads in the footsteps of the Fathers.

I knew him well, and never came within his influence without confessing his many-sided powers, his marvellous acquirements, his rare eloquence, his soul touched to so many generous sympathies, and his heart beating warm for his fellow-men.

Let us at all hazards prevent the extension of Slavery and the increase of the Slave Power.