As a nation, we began by declaring that 'all men are created equal.' We now practically read it 'all men are created equal, except negroes.' When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.

I am for . . . each individual doing just as he chooses in all matters which concern nobody else.

Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh.

Almost every thing, especially of governmental policy, is an inseparable compound of the two [good and evil].

Knavery and flattery are blood relations.

Allow the president to invade a neighboring nation, whenever he shall deem it necessary to repel an invasion, and you allow him to do so whenever he may choose to say he deems it necessary for such a purpose - and you allow him to make war at pleasure.

I am in favor of a national bank...in favor of the internal improvements system and a high protective tariff.