Robert Toombs

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

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

"We have not sought this conflict we have sought too long to avoid it our forbearance has been construed into weakness, our magnanimity into fear, until the vindication of our manhood, as well as the defence of our rights, is required at our hands."