No principle of general law is more universally acknowledged, than the perfect equality of nations. Russia and Geneva have equal rights. It results from this equality, that no one can rightfully impose a rule on another....As no nation can prescribe a rule for others, none can make a law of nations.

The law does not expect a man to be prepared to defend every act of his life which may be suddenly and without notice alleged against him.

No political dreamer was ever wild enough to think of breaking down the lines which separate the States and compounding the American people into one common mass.

The power to tax is the power to destroy.

A legislative act contrary to the Constitution is not law.

To obtain a just compromise, concession must not only mutual-it must be equal also....There can be no hope that either will yield more than it gets in return.

Between a balanced republic and a democracy, the difference is like that between order and chaos.