If the General Government should be left dependent on the State Legislatures, it would be happy for us if we had never met in this room.

Experience must be our only guide. Reason may mislead us.

Our liberties do not come from charters; for these are only the declaration of pre-existing rights. They do not depend on parchments or seals; but come from the King of Kings and the Lord of all the earth.

Government has hardened into a tyrannical monopoly, and the human race in general becomes as absolutely property as beasts in the plow.

Let us take care of our rights and we therein take care of our prosperity. Slavery is ever preceded by sleep

Our cause is just. Our union is perfect.

Let our government be like that of the solar system. Let the general government be like the sun and the states the planets, repelled yet attracted, and the whole moving regularly and harmoniously in several orbits.