How we cite our quotes: (Sentence)
Quote #1
We are now far into the fifth year since a policy was initiated with the avowed object and confident promise of putting an end to slavery agitation. Under the operation of that policy, that agitation has not only not ceased but has constantly augmented. (3-4)
Lincoln introduces past events early in his speech, referencing the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the idea of popular sovereignty here. How does he use the passage of time to illustrate his perspective on that legislation?
Quote #2
Let anyone who doubts carefully contemplate that now almost complete legal combination -- piece of machinery, so to speak -- compounded of the Nebraska doctrine and the Dred Scott decision. Let him consider, not only what work the machinery is adapted to do, and how well adapted, but also let him study the history of its construction and trace, if he can, or rather fail, if he can, to trace the evidences of design and concert of action among its chief architects, from the beginning. (12-13)
The references to the past are less obvious here, but what Lincoln is telling his audience to do is not just think about these two events, but how they happened in the first place. Major acts or legislation doesn't happen in a vacuum. The reasons for these particular things happening, then, indicates a more far-reaching history, which Lincoln argues his audience should be aware of as part of the problem at hand.
Quote #3
While the Nebraska Bill was passing through Congress, a law case, involving the question of a Negro's freedom, by reason of his owner having voluntarily taken him first into a free state and then into a territory covered by the congressional prohibition… Before the then next presidential election, the law case came to, and was argued in, the Supreme Court of the United States; but the decision of it was deferred until after the election… The election came. Mr. Buchanan was elected, and the endorsement, such as it was, secured. (24, 26, 28-29)
Not the most exciting quote, but this section represents a large portion of the speech devoted to simply outlining the history of the slavery debate over the past five years or so. Lincoln presents clear, undeniable facts from the past as evidence to support his argument. To be even more convincing, he references a number of different parts of the U.S. government and how they contributed to the situation.