[O]ur rules can have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them. The rights of conscience we never submitted, we could not submit. We are answerable for them to our God.

A judiciary independent of a king or executive alone, is a good thing; but independence of the will of the nation is a solecism, at least in a republican government.

The world is indebted for all triumphs which have been gained by reason and humanity over error and oppression.

The cost of freedom is eternal vigilance

We are not to expect to be translated from despotism to liberty in a featherbed.

Politics, like religion, hold up the torches of martyrdom to the reformers of error.

My affections were first for my own country, then, generally, for all mankind