Senator Edward M. Kennedy on Abortion, 1971

"While the deep concern of a woman bearing an unwanted child merits consideration and sympathy, it is my personal feeling that the legalization of abortion on demand is not in accordance with the value which our civilization places on human life," the late senator wrote in a letter, quoted by Rod Dreher — On abortion, a once-Catholic Ted Kennedy.

"Wanted or unwanted, I believe that human life, even at its earliest stages, has certain rights which must be recognized -- the right to be born, the right to love, the right to grow old," he continued. He wrote that "once life has begun, no matter at what stage of growth, it is my belief that termination should not be decided merely by desire."

His conclusion: "When history looks back to this era it should recognize this generation as one which cared about human beings enough to halt the practice of war, to provide a decent living for every family, and to fulfill its responsibility to its children from the very moment of conception."