We cannot make events. Our business is wisely to improve them. Mankind are governed more by their feeling than by reason. Events which excite those feelings will produce wonderful effects.

If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.

Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: First a right to life, secondly to liberty, and thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can.

The right to freedom is the gift of God Almighty....The rights of the Colonists as Christians may be best understood by reading, and carefully studying the institutes of the great Lawgiver and head of the Christian Church: which are to be found clearly written and promuligated in the New Testament.

The right to freedom being the gift of God, it is not in the power of man to alienate this gift and voluntarily become a slave.

The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy this gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people.

A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy.