Occasional war is one of the rigorous instruments in the hands of Providence to give tone to the character of nations.

Of the two great political parties which have divided the opinions and feelings of our country, the candid and the just will now admit that both have contributed splendid talents, spotless integrity, ardent patriotism, and disinterested sacrifices to the formation and administration of this Government, and that both have required a liberal indulgence for a portion of human infirmity and error.

Our Constitution rests on the good sense and the respect of the American people.

The extremes of opulence and of want are more remarkable, and more constantly obvious, in [Great Britain] than in any other place that I ever saw.

Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people.

To believe that everyone is honest is folly, but to believe that no one is honest is worse.

About one-half of the members of Congress are seekers for office at the nomination of the President. Of the remainder, at least one-half have some appointment or favor to ask for their relatives.