In Europe, charters of liberty have been granted by Power. In America ... charters of power [are] granted by liberty.

The means of defence against foreign danger have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended. Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people.

The eyes of the world being thus on our Country, it is put the more on its good behavior, and under the greater obligation also, to do justice to the Tree of Liberty by an exhibition of the fine fruits we gather from it.

The security intended to the general liberty consists in the frequent election and in the rotation of the members of Congress.

Can it be of less consequence that the meaning of a Constitution should be fixed and known, than a meaning of a law should be so?

It will be remembered, that a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles is solemnly enjoined by most of the state constitutions, and particularly by our own, as a necessary safeguard against the danger of degeneracy, to which republics are liable, as well as other governments, though in a less degree than others.

Our opinions agree as to the evil, moral, political, and economical, of slavery.