His scheme miscarried the moment its execution was attempted, as any one not blinded by fanaticism could have from the first foreseen.

It permitted what was considered a grievous moral wrong to be upheld, if a majority of white men would vote in favor of upholding it.

If a President, constitutionally elected, could not be inaugurated, it was better then and there to ascertain the fact than to postpone the issue by an evasion or a surrender.

The revival of the African slave-trade was the last suggestion for its protection, and was the immediate precursor of its destruction.

American statesmen exhibited wisdom, moderation, and foresight in overcoming the obstacles to the material prosperity of the new Republic.

He idolized Jefferson and revered Jackson as embodying in their respective characters all the elements of the soundest political philosophy, and all the requisites of the highest political leadership.

It was, in short, an oligarchy which by its combined power ruled the Republic.

You decline to take the offer because you fear it will do you no good.

Men who afterwards attested their loyalty to the Union by their lives, took part in this dangerous scheme of encouraging a revolt which they could not repress.

Never was popular delusion so suddenly and so completely dispelled.

His influence in aid of the finances of the government in its early period of depression was given without stint and was of incalculable value.

No party in the United States ever presented a more brilliant array of talent than the Whigs.

He was not eloquent according to the canons of oratory; but he was widely intelligent, had given careful attention to public questions, and spoke with force and clearness.

He possessed the keenest wit, and was unmerciful in its use toward those whom he did not like.

The Constitution was the bond of union; and it was the South that sought to change it by amendments, or to subvert it by force.

Breckinridge, the traitor, be and is hereby expelled from the Senate.

Lincoln placed it, the free laborer in the North was disposed to regard a general emancipation of the slaves as tending to reduce his own wages, and as subjecting him to the disadvantage of an odious contest for precedence of race.

The passage of the bill necessarily rendered futile every attempt at reconciliation.

By the initiation of emancipation all possible desire or tendency in that direction would be removed, and thus a severe blow be given to the Rebellion.

There was embarrassment when there should have been security; there was scarcity when the most ordinary prudence would have insured plenty.

The political economists who had been in control of our finances insisted upon treating our gold as an ordinary product, to be exported in the same manner that we exported wheat and pork.

In the popular opinion it was a radical measure, and therein lay its chief merit.

It was a policy that required great moral courage, and it was abundantly rewarded by successful results.

The United States might well have relieved Virginia and have done justice to her creditors by making some allowance for the division of her territory.

The wonder excited by the raising of the vast army which saved the Union from destruction was even surpassed by the wonder excited by its prompt and peaceful dissolution.