While the farmer holds the title to the land, actually, it belongs to all the people because civilization itself rests upon the soil.

I think all the world would gain by setting commerce at perfect liberty.

But, you may ask, if the two departments [i.e., federal and state] should claim each the same subject of power, where is the common umpire to decide ultimately between them? In cases of little importance or urgency, the prudence of both parties will keep them aloof from the questionable ground; but if it can neither be avoided nor compromised, a convention of the States must be called to ascribe the doubtful power to that department which they may think best.

The only orthodox object of the institution of government is to secure the greatest degree of happiness possible to the general mass of those associated under it.

I look to the diffusion of light and education as the resource most to be relied on for ameliorating the condition, promoting the virtue and advancing the happiness of man.

It is (our) duty . . . to pay especial attention to the principles of government which shall be inculcated therein (at the University), and to provide that none shall be inculcated which are incompatible with those on which the Constitutions of this State, and of the United States were genuinely based, in the common opinion; and for this purpose it may be necessary to point out specially where these principles are to be found legitimately developed.

The abolition of domestic slavery is the great object of desire in those colonies, where it was unhappily introduced in their infant state.