The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery

My most cherished possession I wish I could leave you is my faith in Jesus Christ, for with Him and nothing else you can be happy, but without Him and with all else you'll never be happy.

The American Revolution was the grand operation, which seemed to be assigned by the Deity to the men of this age in our country, over and above the common duties of life

Be of good courage, my son, and remember that the best men always make themselves.

Is the relinquishment of the trial by jury and the liberty of the press necessary for your liberty? Will the abandonment of your most sacred rights tend to the security of your liberty? Liberty, the greatest of all earlthy blessings - give us that precious jewel, and you may take every things else! . . . Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel.

[Our Constitution] is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.

I look on that paper (the Constitution) as the most fatal plan that could possibly be conceived to enslave a free people.