Freemasonry is an ancient and respectable institution, embracing individuals of every nation, of every religion, and of every condition in life. Wealth, power and talents are not necessary to the person of a Freemason. An unblemished character and a virtuous conduct are the only qualifications for admission into the Order.

Being the dependents of the general government, and looking to its treasury as the source of all their emoluments, the state officers, under whatever names they might pass and by whatever forms their duties might be prescribed, would in effect be the mere stipendiaries and instruments of the central power.

The President is the direct representative of the American people and is elected by the people and responsible to them.

I would sincerely regret, and which never shall happen whilst I am in office, a military guard around the President.

Were all the worshippers of the gold calf to memorialize me and request a restoration of the deposits I would cut my right hand from my body before I would do such an act. The gold calf may be worshipped by others but as for myself I serve the Lord.

When the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.

In a country where offices are created solely for the benefit of the people no one man has any more intrinsic right to official station than another.