I admitted, that the world had existed millions of years. I am astonished at the ignorance of the masses on these subjects. Hugh Miller has it right when he says that 'the battle of evidences must now be fought on the field of the natural sciences.'

..remember that under our institutions there was no middle ground for the negro race between slavery and equal citizenship.

The right of private judgment is absolute in every American citizen.

The President is the last person in the world to know what the people really want and think.

In my judgment it is the duty of Congress, while respecting to the uttermost the conscientious convictions and religious scruples of every citizen, to prohibit within its jurisdiction all criminal practices ... Nor can any ecclesiastical organization be safely permitted to usurp in the smallest degree the functions and powers of the National Government.

All free governments are managed by the combined wisdom and folly of the people.

Commerce links all mankind in one common brotherhood of mutual dependence and interests.