Under the blessings of Divine Providence... It becomes us, in humility, to make our devout acknowledgments to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, for the inestimable civil and religious blessings with which we are favored.

We must ever mandate the principle that the people of this continent alone have the right to decide their own destiny.

No union exists between church and state, and perfect freedom of opinion is guaranteed to all sects and creeds.

It is confidently believed that our system may be safely extended to the utmost bounds of our territorial limits.

When I observed a strong man approaching I generally took advantage of him by being a little quicker than he was and seizing him by the tip of the fingers, giving him a hearty shake, and thus preventing him from getting a full grip upon me.

Minorities have a right to appeal to the Constitution as a shield against such oppression.

No president who performs his duties faithfully and conscientiously can have any leisure.