Emancipation, to be of any value to the slave, must be the free, voluntary act of the master, performed from a conviction of its propriety.

While I value the good opinion of my fellow citizens as highly as anyone, I may be permitted to say that I am governed by higher considerations than either the favor or the fear of man. I am impelled to the course I have taken because I fear God.

I know that I have the right freely to speak and publish my sentiments, subject only to the laws of the land for the abuse of that right.

Elijah Parish Lovejoy Quotes