Pains and penalties I will endure, but this great wrong I will not do.

Finally, Sir, for the sake of peace and tranquillity, cease to shock the Public Conscience; for the sake of the Constitution, cease to exercise a power nowhere granted, and which violates inviolable rights expressly secured.

Leave this question where it was left by our fathers, at the formation of our National Government,--in the absolute control of the States, the appointed guardians of Personal Liberty.

Mindful of the lowly whom it pursues, mindful of the good men perplexed by its requirements, in the name of Charity, in the name of the Constitution, repeal this enactment, totally and without delay.

There is the example of Washington; follow it.

There also are words of Oriental piety, most touching and full of warning, which speak to all mankind, and now especially to us: "Beware of the groans of wounded souls, since the inward sore will at length break out.

Oppress not to the utmost a single heart; for a solitary sigh has power to overturn a whole world.

For myself, I should be much happier to vote a larger appropriation, believing, that, over and above the services actually rendered in the discharge of his duties, these plans are amply worth it, and that we shall all feel better by such…

And now, Sir, by practical services here in Washington, rendered at the call of his country, he has earned, it seems to me, this small appropriation, not as a charity to his desolate widow, but as a remuneration for labor done.

It is dogmatically asserted that there can be but two parties,--that a new party is impossible, particularly in our country,--and that, therefore, all persons, however opposed to Slavery, must be content in one of the old parties.

This assumption, which is without foundation in reason, is so often put forth, that it has acquired a certain currency; and many, who reason hastily, or implicitly follow others, have adopted it as the all-sufficient excuse for their…

All this is wrong morally, and therefore must be wrong practically.

But as other opinions practically prevail and seek vent, so must parties change or multiply.

This is so strongly the conclusion of reason and philosophy, that it could not be doubted, even if there were no examples of such change and multiplicity.

In England, the most important measure of recent reform, the abolition of the laws imposing a protective duty on corn, was carried only by a third party.

Thus by example in our own day we confirm the principle of political philosophy, that parties naturally adapt themselves in character and number to prevailing public opinion.

The rising public opinion against Slavery cannot flow in the old political channels.

With such a cause and such candidates, no man can be disheartened.

The tempest may blow,--but ours is a life-boat, not to be harmed by wind or wave.

I hear her voice of cheer, saying, "Whoso sails with me comes to shore!

But there are two distinct arguments in its favor, which, at the present moment, do not seem to me susceptible of any answer.

In the first place, there are complaints against the existing system, which ought to be heard.

Letters to myself and others, from persons whose opinions I am bound to regard, set them forth sometimes in very strong language.

As now conducted, it is sometimes represented to be the seat of oppressive conduct, and the occasion of heart-burning and strife, often running into local politics.

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