"Should a slave, when assaulted, but raise his hand in self defense, the white assaulting party is fully justified by southern, or Maryland, public opinion, in shooting the slave down."

"The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions yet made to her august claims, have been born of earnest struggle."

"The American people have always been anxious to know what they shall do with us... I have had but one answer from the beginning. Do nothing with us! Your doing with us has already played the mischief.…"

"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."

"I prayed for freedom for twenty years, but received no answer until I prayed with my legs."