Irresponsible power is inconsistent with liberty, and must corrupt those who exercise it.

The object of a Constitution is to restrain the Government, as that of laws is to restrain individuals.

Protection and patriotism are reciprocal.

In looking back, I see nothing to regret, and little to correct.

Irresponsible power is inconsistent with liberty, and must corrupt those who exercise it.

To maintain the ascendancy of the Constitution over the lawmaking majority is the great and essential point on which the success of the [American] system must depend; unless that ascendancy can be preserved, the necessary consequence must be that the laws will supersede the Constitution; and, finally, the will of the Executive, by influence of its patronage, will supersede the laws . . .

The very essence of a free government consists in considering offices as public trusts, bestowed for the good of the country, and not for the benefit of an individual or a party.