I regret, as much as any member, the unavoidable weight and duration of the burdens to be imposed; having never been a proselyte to the doctrine, that public debts are public benefits. I consider them, on the contrary, as evils which ought to be removed as fast as honor and justice will permit.

The definition of the right of suffrage is very justly regarded as a fundamental article of republican government.

[I]t is the reason alone, of the public, that ought to control and regulate the government.

The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.

... the State Legislatures will jealously and closely watch the operations of this Government, and be able to resist with more effect every assumption of power, than any other power on earth can do; and the greatest opponents to a Federal Government admit the State Legislatures to be sure guardians of the people's liberty.

If men were angels, there would be no need of government.

Democracies have been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their death.