I have sworn upon the altar of God Eternal, hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.

I hold it certain that to open the doors of truth and to fortify the habit of testing everything by reason are the most effectual manacles we can rivet on the hands of our successors to prevent their manacling the people with their own consent.

The cement of this union is the heart-blood of every American.

I wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our Constitution. I would be willing to depend on that alone for the reduction of the administration of our government; I mean an additional article taking from the Federal Government the power of borrowing.

Difficulties indeed sometimes arise; but common sense and honest intentions will generally steer through them.

If the freedom of religion, guaranteed to us by law in theory, can ever rise in practice under the overbearing inquisition of public opinion, [then and only then will truth]prevail over fanaticism.

It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.