In the ancient Greek, from which the word is derived, an angel was a messenger; and is not the office of our messenger angelic?

But by what rule or reason can you tax such a messenger in his great and beautiful office?

A letter is simply conversation in writing, and therefore, by strictness of logic, the tax you impose is a tax on conversation.

But conversation in writing, no matter on what subject, whether of business or of the heart, is now subject to an unrelenting tax, so that persons conversing by letter must not only pay the cost of the intermediary in their own case, but…

Thus the tax on letters has gained an undeserved immunity, which is augmented by a prevailing notion, sometimes supposed to find authority even in the Constitution, that the Post-Office must support itself.

Whether regarded as rule or maxim or provision of the Constitution, it is without foundation, and sooner or later will be classed with those “vulgar errors” which are as disturbing in government as in science.

As there is no ground in the Constitution for this pretension, so is there none in reason.

Of all existing departments, the Post-Office is most entitled to consideration, for it is most universal in its beneficence.

That public welfare which is the declared object of all the departments appears here in its most attractive form.

There is nothing which is not helped by the Post-Office.

The Post-Office is at hand with invaluable aid, quickening and multiplying all its activities.

The Post-Office is the good Samaritan, omnipresent on all the highways of the land.

The Post-Office is schoolmaster, with school for all and with scholars counted by the million.

The Post-Office lends itself so completely to this essential work, that the national will is conveyed without noise or effort to the most remote corners, and the Republic becomes one and indivisible.

Without the Post-Office where would be that national unity, with irresistible guaranty of Equal Rights to All, which is now the glory of the Republic?

Therefore, in the name of all these, do I insist that now, in these days of equality, the Post-Office shall be admitted to equality with all other departments of Government, so that it may discharge its own peculiar and many-sided duties…

Ours should be the best in the world,--not second to any.

It is for the welfare of the people that our Republic is founded, and therefore it should omit nothing by which their condition is improved and elevated.

Could my desires prevail, the Post-Office should be like the Common School, open to all, with this only condition, that the rate should be sufficient to guard against abuse.

The power to frank, which is now confined to a few, will practically belong to all, and letters will be multiplied in proportion,--opening to the people an inexhaustible source of all good influences, whether of education, wealth, virtue…

Such a rate will be better than a mine of gold in every State,--better than a band of iron for the Union,--better than a fortress scowling on uncounted hilltops; for it will be an angelic power.

Beyond this would be an inconceivable influence on that immigration to our country which is a constant fountain of life, while it carried into the homes of the Old World the most seductive invitations to take part with us in our great…

Republican ideas would be diffused, and the Rights of Man gain new authority.

Every letter from glowing firesides among us, when read at colder firesides abroad, would be a perpetual proclamation of the Republic.

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