I shall need, too, the favor of that Being in whose hands we are, who led our forefathers, as Israel of old.

Each generation has a right to choose for itself the form of government it believes most promotive of its happiness.

I believe from what I have lately seen that we should be substantially safe were our Citizens Armed, but we have not as many Arms as we have Enemies in the State.

no people can be both ignorant and free.

Truth will do well enough if left to shift for herself. She seldom has received much aid from the power of great men to whom she is rarely known and seldom welcome. She has no need of force to procure entrance into the minds of men.

not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of . . . but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take.

No duty the Executive had to perform was so trying as to put the right man in the right place.