The Writings of Abraham Lincoln: 1843-1858 |
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admit allow already answer argument authority believe bill called carry claim Clay Committee Congress consider Constitution course court DEAR Democrats desire district doubt Douglas election equal existing express extension fact favor feel five four friends give given hands hold House hundred Illinois improvements interest Judge Kansas land least less letter liberty LINCOLN live majority March matter means measure ment Mexico Missouri Missouri Compromise Nebraska negroes never North object opinion party passed persons political position present President principle promise question reason received repeal Representatives river Senate side slave slavery South speech SPRINGFIELD stand suppose taken Taylor tell territory Texas thing thought tion true understand Union United vote Washington Whigs whole wish write wrong
Popular passages
Page 300 - This they said, and this they meant. They did not mean to assert the obvious untruth that all were then actually enjoying that equality, nor yet that they were about to confer it immediately upon them. In fact, they had no power to confer such a boon. They meant simply to declare the right, so that the enforcement of it might follow as fast as circumstances should permit.
Page 270 - For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still : woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; to turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless...
Page 232 - That the legislative power of the Territory shall extend to all rightful subjects of legislation consistent with the Constitution of the United States and the provisions of this act...
Page 167 - The cession of that kind of property, for so it is misnamed, is a bagatelle which would not cost me a second thought, if, in that way, a general emancipation and expatriation could be effected ; and, gradually, and with due sacrifices, I think it might be. But as it is, we have the wolf by the ears, and we can neither hold him, nor safely let him go. Justice is in one scale, and self-preservation in the other.
Page 146 - Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser — in fees, expenses and waste of time. As a peacemaker, the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man.
Page 167 - I can say, with conscious truth, that there is not a man on earth who would sacrifice more than I would to relieve us from this heavy reproach, in any practicable way. The cession of that kind of property, for so it is misnamed, is a bagatelle which would not cost me a second thought, if, in that way, a general emancipation and expatriation could be effected, and gradually and with due sacrifice, I think it might be.
Page 274 - This is a world of compensation and he who would be no slave must consent to have no slave. Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and under a just God, cannot long retain it.
Page 296 - It is difficult at this day to realize the state of public opinion in relation to that unfortunate race which prevailed in the civilized and enlightened portions of the world at the time of the Declaration of Independence and when the Constitution of the United States was framed and adopted.
Page 68 - That the Constitution does not confer upon the General Government the power to commence and carry on a general system of internal improvements.
Page 104 - I guess I surpassed him in charges upon the wild onions. If he saw any live, fighting Indians, it was more than I did; but I had a good many bloody struggles with the mosquitoes; and, although I never fainted from loss of blood, I can truly say I was often very hungry.