To say that a bad government must be established for fear of anarchy is really saying that we should kill ourselves for fear of dying.

If Parliament may take from me one shilling in the pound, what security have I for the other nineteen?

To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms.

If the federal constitution is to be construed so far in connection with the state constitutions, as to leave the trial by jury in civil causes, for instance, secured; on the same principles it would have left the trial by jury in criminal causes, the benefits of the writ of habeas corpus, etc. secured; they all stand on the same footing; they are the common rights of Americans, and have been recognized by the state constitutions.

A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves... and include all men capable of bearing arms.

That these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown; and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

Christianity, by introducing into Europe the truest principles of humanity, universal benevolence, and brotherly love, had happily abolished civil slavery. Let us who profess the same religion practice its precepts... by agreeing to this duty.