If slavery, limited as it yet is, now threatens to subvert the Constitution, how can we as wise and prudent statesmen, enlarge its boundaries and increase its influence, and thus increase already impending dangers?

William H. Seward

Boundaries Constitution Dangers How Increase Influence Limited Now Prudent Slavery Statesmen Threatens Thus Wise

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Sir, there is no Christian nation, thus free to choose as we are, which would establish slavery.

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There is not only no free state which would now establish it, but there is no slave state, which, if it had had the free alternative as we now have, would have founded slavery.

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I speak on due consideration because Britain, France, and Mexico, have abolished slavery, and all other European states are preparing to abolish it as speedily as they can.

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