If a man . . . would shake and not be shaken, grip and not be gripped, taking care always to squeeze the hand of his adversary as hard as it squeezed him, then he suffered no inconvenience from it.

The world has nothing to fear from military ambition in our Government.

The Constitution itself, plainly written as it is, the safeguard of our federative compact, the offspring of concession and compromise, binding together in the bonds of peace and union this great and increasing family of free and independent States, will be the chart by which I shall be directed.

One great object of the Constitution was to restrain majorities from oppressing minorities or encroaching upon their just rights.

All distinctions of birth or of rank have been abolished. All citizens, whether native or adopted, are placed upon terms of precise equality. All are entitled to equal rights and equal protection.

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

Under the benignant providence of Almighty God the representatives of the States and of the people are again brought together to deliberate for the public good.