A government by the passions of the multitude, or, no less correctly, according to the vices, and ambitions of their leaders is a democracy.

We have a dangerous trend beginning to take place in our education. We're starting to put more and more textbooks into our schools. We've become accustomed of late of putting little books into the hands of children, containing fables and moral lessons. We're spending less time in the classroom on the Bible, which should be the principal text in our schools. The Bible states these great moral lessons better than any other man-made book.

Time never fails to bring every exalted reputation to a strict scrutiny.

I have heard it remarked that men are not to be reasoned out of an opinion they have not reasoned themselves into.

The House is composed of very good men, not shining, but honest and reasonably well-informed, and in time will be found to improve, and not much inferior in eloquence, science, and dignity, to the British Commons. They are patriotic enough, and I believe there are more stupid (as well as more shining) people in the latter, in proportion.

A monarchy is a merchantman which sails well, but will sometimes strike on a rock, and go to the bottom; a republic is a raft which will never sink, but then your feet are always in the water.

I consider biennial elections as a security that the sober, second thought of the people shall be law.