A man must be a born fool who voluntarily engages in controversy with Mr. Adams on a question of fact. I doubt whether he was ever mistaken in his life.

All legislation, all government, all society is founded upon the principle of mutual concession, politeness, comity, courtesy; upon these everything is based...Let him who elevates himself above humanity, above its weaknesses, its infirmities, its wants, its necessities, say, if he pleases, I will never compromise; but let no one who is not above the frailties of our common nature disdain compromises.

I have heard something said about allegiance to the South. I know no South, no North, no East, no West, to which I owe any allegiance.

Peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must.

The Constitution of the United States was made not merely for the generation that then existed, but for posterity- unlimited, undefined, endless, perpetual posterity.

Government is a trust, and the officers of the government are trustees. And both the trust and the trustees are created for the benefit of the people.

Honor and good faith and justice are equally due from this country toward the weak as toward the strong.