On the distinctive principles of the Government ... of the U. States, the best guides are to be found in ... The Declaration of Independence, as the fundamental Act of Union of these States.

The two great points of difference between a democracy and a republic are: first, the delegation of the government, in the latter,to a small number of citizens elected by the rest; secondly, the greater number of citizens and greater sphere of country over which the latter may be extended.

The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.

Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of power.

Religious bondage shackles and debilitates the mind and unfits it for every noble enterprise, every expanded prospect.

A pure democracy is a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person.

We look back, already, with astonishment, at the daring outrages committed by despotism, on the reason and rights of man; we look forward with joy, to the period, when it shall be despoiled of all its usurpations, and bound forever in the chains, with which it had loaded its miserable victims.