We must have though a man who recognizes the slavery issue as being the living issue of the day; who does not hesitate to declare slavery a wrong, nor to deal with it as such; who believes in the power and duty of Congress to prevent the spread of it.

Let there be no compromise on the question of extending slavery. If there be, all our labor is lost, and, ere long, must be done again.

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.

Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.

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

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