Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government.

A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained in arms, is the best most natural defense of a free country.

It may be considered as an objection inherent in the principle, that as every appeal to the people would carry an implication of some defect in the government, frequent appeals would in great measure deprive the government of that veneration which time bestows on every thing, and without which perhaps the wisest and freest governments would not possess the requisite stability . . . a constitutional road to the decision of the people ought to be marked out and kept open, for certain great and extraordinary occasions

A man has a property in his opinions and the free communication of them.

Every new and successful example of a perfect separation between ecclesiastical and civil matters is of importance.

Whenever a youth is ascertained to possess talents meriting an education which his parents cannot afford, he should be carried forward at the public expense.

Wherever there is interest and power to do wrong, wrong will generally be done.