But, soberly, it is now no child’s play to save the principles of Jefferson from total overthrow in this nation.

The principles of Jefferson are the definitions and axioms of free society, and yet they are denied and evaded with no small show of success.

These expressions, differing in form, are identical in object and effect,--the supplanting the principles of free government, and restoring those of classification, caste, and legitimacy.

They are the vanguard, the miners and sappers, of returning despotism.

We must repulse them, or they will subjugate us.

This is a world of compensations; and he who would be no slave must consent to have no slave.

Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and, under a just God, cannot long retain it.

Let us have faith,” said he, “that right makes might, and in that faith let us to the end dare to do our duty as we understand it.

The declared will of the American people, registered at the ballot-box, was set at nought.

To power and fame others have gone forth with gladness and with song: he went forth prayerfully, as to sacrifice.

I have never had a feeling politically that did not spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of Independence.… Now, my friends, can this country be saved upon that basis?

If it cannot be saved upon that principle, it will be truly awful.

Three times had he announced that for the great truths of the Declaration he was willing to die; three times had he offered himself on that altar; three times had he vowed himself to this martyrdom.

It was determined from the beginning that the Union should be broken, and no moderation could change this wicked purpose.

A pretended power was organized, in the form of a Confederacy, with Slavery as the declared corner-stone.

Therefore, in determining that the Slave-Masters should be encountered, two things were resolved: first, that this Republic is one and indivisible; and, secondly, that no hideous power, with Slavery blazoned on its front, shall be created…

Here was affirmation and denial: first, affirmation of the National Unity; and, secondly, denial of any independent foothold to Rebel Slavery.

Accepting the challenge at Fort Sumter, the President became the voice of the Nation, which, with stern resolve, insisted that the Rebellion should be overcome by war.

If ever in history war was necessary, if ever in history war was holy, it was the war then and there begun for the arrest and overthrow of Rebel Slavery.

It was plain from the first cannon-shot, that the Rebellion was nothing but Slavery in arms; but such was the power of Slavery, even in the Free States, that months elapsed before the giant criminal was directly assailed.

Disasters thickened and graves opened, until at last the country saw that by justice only could we hope for Divine favor, and the President, who leaned so closely upon the popular heart, pronounced that great word by which slaves were set…

If such criticism does not proceed from sympathy with Slavery, it evidently proceeds from prevailing superstition with regard to this idol.

Future jurists will read with astonishment that such a flagrant wrong could be considered at any time as having any rights which a court was bound to respect, and especially that rebels in arms could be considered as having any title to…

The President did not act upon these principles, but, speaking with the voice of authority, said, “Let the slaves be free.” What Court and Congress hesitated to declare he proclaimed, and thus enrolled himself among the world’s…

To appreciate the character of this concession, we must comprehend clearly the whole, vast, unprecedented crime of the Rebellion, taking its complexion from Slavery.