The institution of Masonry ought to be abandoned as one capable of much evil, and incapable of producing any good which might not be affected by safe and open means.

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.

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

It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is...If two laws conflict with each other, the courts must decide on the operation of each...This is of the very essence of judicial duty.

The peculiar circumstances of the moment may render a measure more or less wise, but cannot render it more or less constitutional.

No one imagines that a law professing to tax will be permitted to destroy.

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.