William Seward: “Fellow-citizens: There are moments in the progress of time which are the counters of whole ages.”

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

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

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

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.