I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be offered to abolish this lamentable evil. Everything we do is to improve it, if it happens in our day; if not, let us transmit to our descendants, together with our slaves, a pity for their unhappy lot and an abhorrence of slavery.

My great objection to this government is, that it does not leave us the means of defending our rights, or of waging war against tyrants.

Were my soul trembling on the wing of eternity, were this hand freezing to death, were my voice choking with the last struggle, I would still, with the last gasp of that voice, implore you to remember the truth: God has given America to be free.

The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.

It is the business of a virtuous clergyman to censure vice in every appearance of it.

....I am sure that the dangers of this system (the Federal Constitution) are real, when those who have no similar interest with the people of this country (the South) are to legislate for us - when our dearest rights are to be left, in the hands of those, whose advantage it will be to infringe them.

There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.