To impose taxes when the public exigencies require them is an obligation of the most sacred character, especially with a free people.

During the darkest days of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress and George Washington - I call him the first George W. - (laughter and applause) - urged citizens to pray and to give thanks and to ask for God's protection.

If we look to the history of other nations, ancient or modern, we find no example of a growth so rapid, so gigantic, of a people so prosperous and happy.

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

Before any man can be considered as a member of civil society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe. And to the same Divine Author of every good and perfect gift we are indebted for all those privileges and advantages, religious as well as civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land.

At no period of our political existence had we so much cause to felicitate ourselves at the prosperous and happy condition of our country.

We must support our rights or lose our character, and with it, perhaps, our liberties.