Willingly I take the censure of the Senator, while I strive at this moment to secure for my country sympathy from every quarter, even from foreign nations; nor shall I be disturbed by anything which fell from the Senator.

And I beg to say that I shrink from no responsibility which belongs to my position.

I am unwilling that my country at this moment should pursue a shadow, and in the end find that it has gained nothing but ill-will.

Strong as we are, we cannot afford to augment the odium created by our late tariff.

Better husband our resources,--among which I place the sympathies of the civilized world, and of those laboring classes whose industry must suffer by your act, without, I fear, any corresponding benefit to us.

Therefore take heed … How you awake the sleeping sword of war: We charge you, in the name of God, take heed!

Since last assembled here for a kindred purpose, the mighty march of events has borne the popular efforts on to a higher plane than ever before opened to the gaze of man.… Massachusetts cannot, if she would, and, thank God, she would not…

No longer are we met, as so often in times past, on questions of controversy, or to sustain our cause by argument.

Let us rejoice that at least so much is gained, and from the extent of present triumph take hope and courage for the future.

Great as seems the present peril, there was peril greater far, while it was sinking year after year under the rule of Slavery.

How often have I exclaimed, in times past, that our foremost object was the Emancipation of the National Government, so that no longer should it be the slave of Slavery, ready to do its bidding in all things!

If at any moment we are disposed to be disheartened, if the Future is not always clear before us, we may find ample motive for joy in the victory already achieved.

It is Slavery which has been the origin of our party divisions, keeping men asunder who ought to act together.

All patriots, all who truly love their country, may now act together,--no matter in what party combination they have appeared, no matter of what accent the speech by which their present duties are declared.

Call them Democrats, Union men, natives, or foreigners, what you will, are we not all engaged in a common cause?

The Government is assailed by a rebellion without precedent.

It is the very essence of rebellion to be audacious, unhesitating, unscrupulous.

Rebellion sticks at nothing,--least of all, rebellion beginning in Slavery.

It can be encountered successfully only by vigor and energy surpassing its own.

Patriotism as a motive surely is not less potent than Treason.

By all the memories of your fathers, who founded this Republic and delivered to you the precious heritage, by all the sentiments of gratitude for the good you have enjoyed beneath its protecting care, are you summoned to its defence.

Citizens, whose only offence is loyalty, are driven from their homes.

Commerce is hunted on the sea, and property, wherever it can be reached, ruthlessly robbed or destroyed.

Not “in the name of God and the Continental Congress,” as Ethan Allen summoned Ticonderoga,--but “in the name of Slavery.” In the name of Slavery, and nothing else, is all this crime, destruction, and ravage perpetrated; and the work still…

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