Speeches on Political Questions [1850-1871]

Front Cover
Hurd and Houghton, 1872 - Civil rights - 472 pages

From inside the book

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

Popular passages

Page 47 - And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, — a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God...
Page 228 - Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this Administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation.
Page 373 - And he gave it for his opinion, that whoever could make two ears of corn or two blades of grass grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians put together.
Page 179 - God give us men! A time like this demands Strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands. Men whom the lust of office does not kill; Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy; Men who possess opinions and a will; Men who have honor; men who will not lie; Men who can stand before a demagogue And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking; Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog In public duty and in private thinking...
Page 145 - ... it becomes our duty, by legislation, whenever such legislation is necessary, to maintain this provision of the Constitution against all attempts to violate it; and we deny the authority of Congress, of a territorial legislature, or of any individuals, to give legal existence to slavery in any territory of the United States.
Page 312 - Indians not taxed ; provided, that whenever the elective franchise shall be denied or abridged in any State on account of race or color, all persons of such race or color shall be excluded from the basis of representation.
Page 24 - the citizens of each State shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of citizens of the several States.
Page 228 - In giving freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the free — honorable alike in what we give and what we preserve. We shall nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope of earth.
Page 366 - An act granting the right of way to ditch and canal owners over the public lands, and for other purposes...
Page 12 - THE ABOLITION OF DOMESTIC SLAVERY is the greatest object of desire in these Colonies, where it was unhappily introduced in their infant state.

Bibliographic information