On the diffusion of education among the people rest the preservation and perpetuation of our free institutions.

I believe that the Bible is to be understood and received in the plain and obvious meaning of its passages; for I cannot persuade myself that a book intended for the instruction and conversion of the whole world should cover its true meaning in any such mystery and doubt that none but critics and philosophers can discover it.

Labor in this country is independent and proud. It has not to ask the patronage of capital, but capital solicits the aid of labor.

Mind is the great lever of all things.

No power but Congress can declare war, but what is the value of this constitutional provision, if the President of his own authority may make such military movements as must bring on war?

Let our object be - our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country. And by the blessing of God, may that country itself become a vast and splendid monument - not of oppression and terror, but of wisdom, of Peace, and of Liberty, upon which the world may gaze with admiration forever.

Liberty exists in proportion to wholesome restraint; the more restraint on others to keep off from us, the more liberty we have.