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

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.

Although in our country the Chief Magistrate must almost of necessity be chosen by a party and stand pledged to its principles and measures, yet in his official action he should not be the President of a part only, but of the whole people of the United States.

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

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.

I love you Sarah. For all eternity, I love you.

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