William Seward: “But it may be due to ourselves and to the country, that the national sense of his character and services should be fitly…”

Slavery therefore must be restrained, and, without violence or injustice, must be abolished.

By the blessing of the Author of those rights, they have prevailed over all opposition, and form the basis of thirteen independent States.

How long emancipation may be delayed, is among the things concealed from our knowledge, but not so the certain result.

For the rest, the work of emancipation abides the action, whether it be slow or fast, of the moral sense of the American people.