The best form of government is that which is most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil.

[In a republic,] it is not the people themselves who make the decisions, but the people they themselves choose to stand in their places.

The payments which have been made into the Treasury show the very productive state of the public revenue.

Our relations with the other powers of Europe have experienced no essential change since the last session.

In wars of the European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy so to do

It is only when the people become ignorant and corrupt, when they degenerate into a populace, that they are incapable of exercising the sovereignty. Usurpation is then an easy attainment, and a usurper soon found. The people themselves become the willing instruments of their own debasement and ruin. Let us, then, look to the great cause, and endeavor to preserve it in full force. Let us by all wise and constitutional measures promote intelligence among the people as the best means of preserving our liberties.

The movements of a great nation are connected in all their parts. If errors have been committed they ought to be corrected; if the policy is sound it ought to be supported.