The powers contained in a constitution...ought to be construed liberally in advancement of the public good.

Effective resistance to usurpers is possible only provided the citizens understand their rights and are disposed to defend them.

Let experience, the least fallible guide of human opinion, be appealed to for an answer to these inquiries.

The experience of treaties being broken with impunity provide an afflicting lesson to mankind how little dependence is to be placed on treaties which have no other sanction than the obligations of good faith; and which oppose general considerations of peace and justice to the impulse of any immediate interest and passion.

There can be no limitation of that authority which is to provide for the defense and protection of the community in any matter essential to the formation, direction, or support of the NATIONAL FORCES.

The same state of the passions which fits the multitude, who have not a sufficient stock of reason and knowledge to guide them, for opposition to tyranny and oppression, very naturally leads them to a contempt and disregard of all authority.

Hard words are very rarely useful. Real firmness is good for every thing. Strut is good for nothing.