It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their own selfish purposes.

Be good children, and we shall all meet in Heaven. I want to meet you all, white and black, in Heaven. Our Federal Union! It must be preserved! [Toast at a celebration of Thomas Jefferson's birthday, April 13 1830]

There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses.

No free government can stand without virtue in the people, and a lofty spirit of partiotism.

If in madness of delusion, anyone shall lift his parricidal hand against this blessed union, the arms of thousands will be raised to save it, and the curse of millions will fall upon the head which may have plotted its destruction.

Perpetuity is stamped upon the Constitution by the blood of our fathers.

Internal improvement and the diffusion of knowledge, so far as they can be promoted by the constitutional acts of the Federal Government, are of high importance.