William Seward: “Roads and canals are among the most essential means of improving the condition of nations.”

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

The perils of the enterprize are already passed--its difficulties have already been removed--when it shall have been accomplished it will be justly regarded as the last noble effort which rendered the Republic imperishable.

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

The recital of heroic actions loses its chief value, if we cannot discover the principles in which they were born.