William Seward: “The State I have the honor in part to represent once endured, with yours, a common suffering, battled for a common…”

It depends not on the zeal and firmness only of the reformers, but on their wisdom and moderation also.

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

Let it be remembered, that it has ever been the pride and the boast of America, that the rights for which she contended were the rights of human nature.

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.