The preservation of a free government requires not merely that the metes and bounds which separate each department of power be invariably maintained; but more especially that neither of them be suffered to overleap the great Barrier which defends the rights of the people. The Rulers who are guilty of such an encroachment, exceed the commission from which they derive their authority and are Tyrants. The people who submit to it are governed by laws made neither by themselves nor by an authority derived from them, and are slaves.

The primary function of government is to protect the minority of the opulent from the majority of the poor.

No power over the freedom of religion [is] delegated to the United States by the Constitution.

Equal laws protecting equal rights…the best guarantee of loyalty and love of country.

It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage...Before any man can be considered as a member of Civil Society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe.

To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea.

Congress should not establish a religion, and enforce the legal observation of it by law, nor compel men to worship God in any Manner contrary to their conscience.