[S]ound policy condemns the practice of accumulating debts.

The propriety of a law, in a constitutional light, must always be determined by the nature of the powers upon which it is founded.

It may be said that the power of preventing bad laws includes that of preventing good ones; and may be used to the one purpose as well as to the other. But this objection will have little weight with those who can properly estimate the mischiefs of that inconstancy and mutability in the laws, which form the greatest blemish in the character and genius of our governments.

We are now forming a republican government. Real liberty is never found in despotism or the extremes of democracy, but in moderate governments.

This position will not be disputed so long as it is admitted that the desire of reward is one of the strongest incentives of human conduct, or that the best security for the fidelity of mankind is to make their interest coincide with their duty. Even the love of fame, the ruling passion of the noblest minds... would on the contrary deter him from the undertaking, when he foresaw that he must quit the scene before he could accomplish the work.

These are not vague inferences . . . but they are solid conclusions drawn from the natural and necessary progress of human affairs.

In the usual progress of things, the necessities of a nation in every stage of its existence will be found at least equal to its resources.