All I am I owe to my mother.

What a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves, and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal and fallacious.

The U.S. is a Government which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance.

Government is at best a petulant servant and at worst a tyrannical master.

It is too probable that no plan we propose will be adopted. Perhaps another dreadful conflict is to be sustained. If, to please the people, we offer what we ourselves disprove, how can we afterwards defend our work? Let us raise a standard to which the wise and the honest can repair. The event is in the hand of God.

Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.

Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.