In days of yore, the poet's pen From wing of bird was plunder'd, Perhaps of goose, but now and then, From Jove's own eagle sunder'd. But now, metallic pens disclose Alone the poet's numbers; In iron inspiration glows, Or with the poet slumbers.

We may please ourselves with the prospect of free and popular governments. But there is great danger that those governments will not make us happy. God grant they may. But I fear that in every assembly, members will obtain an influence by noise, not sense. By meanness, not greatness. By ignorance, not learning. By contracted hearts, not large souls.

I must judge for myself, but how can I judge, how can any man judge, unless his mind has been opened and enlarged by reading.

Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.

It will be celebrated... with pomp and parade... bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.

The right of a nation to kill a tyrant in case of necessity can no more be doubted than to hang a robber, or kill a flea.

July 4th ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion.