There is more selfishness and less principle among members of Congress than I had any conception of, before I became President of the U.S.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

There is more selfishness and less principle among members of Congress than I had any conception of, before I became President of the U.S.