Certainly there was no just cause of complaint from the Northern States - no advantage was ever sought or obtained by them for their section of the Republic.

They enlarged the domains of commerce by treaties with all nations, upon the great principle of equal justice to all nations, and special favors to none.

Give us equality of enjoyment, equal right to expansion - it is as necessary to our prosperity as yours.

The door of conciliation and compromise is finally closed by our adversaries, and it remains only to us to meet the conflict with the dignity and firmness of men worthy of freedom.

The basis, the corner-stone of this Government, was the perfect equality of the free, sovereign, and independent States which made it.

They all agree, they are all unanimous in Congress, in the States, on the rostrum, in the sanctuary - everywhere they declare that slavery shall not go into the Territories.

Conflicting commercial regulations of the different States shackled and diminished both foreign and domestic trade; hence the power to regulate commerce was conferred.

Besides, we had a large debt, contracted at home and abroad in our War of Independence; therefore the great power of taxation was conferred upon this Government.

Liberty, in its last analysis, is but the sweat of the poor and the blood of the brave.

The day the army of Virginia allows a negro regiment to enter their lines as soldiers they will be degraded, ruined, and disgraced.

I very much regret, in appearing before you at your request, to address you on the present state of the country, and the prospect before us, that I can bring you no good tidings.

Politicians need a film appreciation course.

The harm done is often difficult to repair.

John Kerry says that foreign leaders want him to be president, but that he can't name the foreign leaders. That's all right, President Bush can't name them either.

Speak for yourself and from yourself, or be silent.

Virginians were nice, they confided to each other, if caught singly. Two Virginians, of course, talked horses.

Don't make me flip you off" "Why would I deprive you of a favourite hobby?" "Because my finger's getting sore.

How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives.

Philosophy is like trying to open a safe with a combination lock: each little adjustment of the dials seems to achieve nothing, only when everything is in place does the door open.

The charm of television entertainment is its ability to bridge the chasm between dinner and bedtime without mental distraction.