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.

There is every reason to believe that our system will soon attain the highest degree of perfection of which human institutions are capable.

Republics demanded virtue. Monarchies could rely on coercion and "dazzling splendor" to suppress self-interest or factions; republics relied on the goodness of the people to put aside private interest for public good. The imperatives of virtue attached all sorts of desiderata to the republican citizen: simplicity, frugality, sobriety, simple manners, Christian benevolence, duty to the polity. Republics called on other virtues--spiritedness, courage--to protect the polity from external threats. Tyrants kept standing armies; republics relied on free yeomen, defending their own land.

The emigrants although of different parties and different religious sects all flew from persecution in pursuit of liberty.

If America wants concessions, she must fight for them. We must purchase our power with our blood.

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

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