"The
honor of a nation is an important thing. It is said in the Scriptures,
"What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose
his own soul?" It may be said, also, What doth it profit a nation
if it gain the whole world, but lose its honor? I hold that
the American government has taken upon itself a solemn obligation
of honor, to see that this war--let it be long or short, let
it cost much or let it cost little--that this war shall not
cease until every freedman at the South has the right to vote."