Prevent ... our friends from demoralizing themselves, and our cause, by entertaining propositions for compromise of any sort, on 'slavery extention.' ... On that point hold firm, as with a chain of steel.

Whether we will or not, the question of Slavery is THE question, the all absorbing topic of the day.

Free labor has the inspiration of hope; pure slavery has no hope.

If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong. I can not remember when I did not so think ... to this day, I have done no official act in mere deference to my abstract judgment and feeling on slavery.

Slavery is founded in the selfishness of man's nature - opposition to it is [in] his love of justice.

I have always hated slavery, I think as much as any Abolitionist.