I Would Give No Thought Of What

I Beseech Those Whose Piety Will Permit Them Reverently To Petition, That They Will Pray For This Union, And Ask That He Who Buildeth Up And Pulleth Down Nations Will, The Mercy Preserve And Unite Us. For A Nation Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand. I Wish, If This Union Must Be Dissolved, That Its Ruins May Be The Monument Of My Grave, And The Graves Of My Family. I Wish No Epitaph To Be Written To Tell That I Survive The Ruin Of This Glorious Union.

I Have Ever Been Opposed To Banks, - Opposed To Internal Improvements By The General Government, - Opposed To Distribution Of Public Lands Among The States, - Opposed To Taking The Power From The Hands Of The People, - Opposed To Special Monopolies, - Opposed To A Protective Tariff, - Opposed To A Latitudinal Construction Of The Constitution, - Opposed To Slavery Agitation And Disunion. This Is My Democracy. Point To A Single Act Of My Public Career Not In Keeping With These Principles.

I Am Aware That In Presenting Myself As The Advocate Of The Indians And Their Rights, I Shall Stand Very Much Alone.

The Benefits Of Education And Of Useful Knowledge, Generally Diffused Through A Community, Are Essential To The Preservation Of A Free Government.

I Declare That Civil War Is Inevitable And Is Near At Hand. When It Comes The Descendants Of The Heroes Of Lexington And Bunker Hill Will Be Found Equal In Patriotism, Courage And Heroic Endurance With The Descendants Of The Heroes Of Cowpens And Yorktown. For This Reason I Predict The Civil War Which Is Now At Hand Will Be Stubborn And Of Long Duration.