Let any other metropolis sit like Boston in ashes, and I hope there will be no hesitation in extending to it a friendly hand.

Let the people of Boston go where they can buy cheapest in order to meet their great calamity; and if it be to their neighbor British provinces, I hope my friend from Vermont will not interfere to prevent it.

Nor can the State that gave him to the national service and trusted him so long fail to remember with pride that he was always an honest man.

Faithful, constant, devoted, indefatigable, implacable, he knew not how to capitulate.

And yet I cannot doubt that others would testify, as I now do, that never on these occasions, when the soul was tried in its depths, did any fail to recognize the simplicity and integrity of his nature.

Happily, that great controversy is ended; nor do I say anything but the strict truth, when I add that now we bury him who spoke last for Slavery.

Time is teacher and reconciler; nor is it easy for any candid nature to preserve a constant austerity of judgment toward persons.

While abiding firmly in the truth as we saw it, there may be charity and consideration for those who did not see it as we saw it.

Equity, I will not say toleration for the faith of others, in religion or politics, has come to take place and grow by the side of tranquillity in my own faith.

It is youth, with its natural ignorance and passionate prejudices, which renders us exclusive and biting in our judgments of others.

In proportion as I quit myself, and as time sweeps me far from our combats, I enter without difficulty into a serene and pleasant appreciation of ideas and sentiments which do not belong to me.” Even if not adopting these words completely…

In this spirit I offer a sincere tribute to a departed Senator, who, amid the perturbations of the times, trod his way with independent step, and won even from opponents the palm of character.

Emancipation in the national capital was the experiment which prepared the way for Emancipation everywhere throughout the country.

Much has been done, but more remains to be done.

Until your equality in civil rights is assured, the pillar of your citizenship is like the column in honor of Washington,--unfinished and imperfect.

There is constant talk of finishing that column at great cost of money, but the first thing to be done is to finish the pillar of your citizenship.

Here I shall gladly work; but I trust that you will all work likewise, nor be content with anything less than the whole.

It must open the school to all, without distinction of color.

Should any persons be shut out from this right on the wretched apology of color, I trust they will make their indignation felt by the guilty authors of the outrage.

I write plainly, because the time has come for those who love justice to speak out.

Too long have colored fellow-citizens been deprived of their rights; they must insist upon them.

In assuming the defence of the rights of this people, guided by the most generous sentiments of your rich nature, by a sincere love of justice, you have acquired an immortal title to the gratitude of all the descendants of the African race.

In advocating the cause of an oppressed people I have only acted according to my conscience.

In the history of mankind the crime against the African race will stand forth in terrible eminence,--always observed, and never forgotten.

As these things are seen in increasing light, they will be condemned in no uncertain words; nor will the denial of equal rights, on account of color, escape the judgment awarded to slavery itself.