Nothing short of self-respect and that justice which is essential to a national character ought to involve us in war.

To encourage literature and the arts is a duty which every good citizen owes to his country.

It is on great occasions only, and after time has been given for cool and deliberate reflection, that the real voice of the people can be known.

I consider it an indispensible duty to close this last solemn act of my official life by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God and those who have the superintendence of them into his Holy keeping.

I earnestly pray that the Omnipotent Being who has not deserted the cause of America in the hour of its extremest hazard, will never yield so fair a heritage of freedom a prey to 'Anarchy' or 'Despotism'.

Where are our Men of abilities? Why do they not come forth to save their Country?

All combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency. They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community.