![]() “As a nation, we began by declaring that “all men are created equal.” We now practically read it “all men are created equal, except negroes.” When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read “all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.” When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretence of loving liberty - to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be take pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy” “Slavery is founded in the selfishness of man’s nature - opposition to it, in his love of justice.” If the negro is a man, why then my ancient faith teaches me that “all men are created equal,” and that there can be no moral right in connection with one man’s making a slave of another.” “When the white man governs himself, that is self-government but when he governs himself and also governs another man, that is more than self-government - that is despotism. If we cannot give freedom to every creature, let us do nothing that will impose slavery upon any other creature.” “In relation to the principle that all men are created equal, let it be as nearly reached as we can. When I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.” “I have always thought that all men should be free but if any should be slaves, it should be first those who desire it for themselves, and secondly, those who desire it for others. “No man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent.” Quotes on Slavery We shall have so saved it, that the succeeding millions of free happy people, the world over, shall rise up, and call us blessed, to the latest generations.” If we do this, we shall not only have saved the Union but we shall have so saved it, as to make, and to keep it, forever worthy of the saving. ![]() ![]() “Let north and south - let all Americans - let all lovers of liberty everywhere - join in the great and good work. It will become all one thing or all the other.” I do not expect the Union to be dissolved - I do not expect the house to fall - but I do expect it will cease to be divided. ![]() “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free. Speech at Edwardsville, Illinois (11 September 1858) “Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere.” Let us discard all these things, and unite as one people throughout this land, until we shall once more stand up declaring that all men are created equal.” “Let us discard all this quibbling about this man and the other man this race and that race and the other race being inferior, and therefore they must be placed in an inferior position discarding our standard that we have left us. “I don’t think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.” ![]()
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