Security against foreign danger is one of the primitive objects of civil society. It is an avowed and essential object of the American Union.

If man is not fit to govern himself, how can he be fit to govern someone else?

A zeal for different opinions concerning religion...[has] divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with mutual animosity, and rendered them much more disposed to vex and oppress each other than to co-operate for their common good.

The important distinction so well understood in America between a constitution established by the people, and unalterable by the government; and a law established by the government, and alterable by the government, seems to have been little understood and less observed in any other country. Wherever the supreme power of legislation has resided, has been supposed to reside also, a full power to change the form of government.

Public opinion sets bounds to every government, and is the real sovereign in every free one.

The people shall not be restrained from peacefully assembling and consulting for their common good, nor from applying to the legislature by petitions, or remonstrances for redress of their grievances.

Democracy is the most vile form of government.