Fear is the foundation of most governments; but it is so sordid and brutal a passion, and renders men in whose breasts it predominates so stupid and miserable, that Americans will not be likely to approve of any political institution which is founded on it.

The dons, the bashaws, the grandees, the patricians, the sachems, the nabobs, call them by what names you please, sigh and groan and fret, and sometimes stamp and foam and curse, but all in vain. The decree is gone forth, and it cannot be recalled, that a more equal liberty than has prevailed in other parts of the earth must be established in America.

But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.

Public affairs go on pretty much as usual: perpetual chicanery and rather more personal abuse than there used to be.

What havoc, said I to myself, would these manners make in America! Our governors, our judges, our senators or representatives, and even our ministers, would be appointed by harlots, for money; and their judgments, decrees, and decisions, be sold to repay themselves, or, perhaps, to procure the smiles of profligate females.

There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.

Whenever serious art loses track of its roots in the vernacular, then it begins to atrophy.