I do verily believe that if the principle were to prevail of a common law being in force in the United States (which principle possesses the general government at once of all the powers of the state governments, and reduces us to a single consolidated government), it would become the most corrupt government on the earth.

No country and no people can be free and ignorant at the same time.

Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state.

By... [selecting] the youths of genius from among the classes of the poor, we hope to avail the State of those talents which nature has sown as liberally among the poor as the rich, but which perish without use if not sought for and cultivated.

Many are the exercises of power reserved to the States wherein a uniformity of proceeding would be advantageous to all. Such are quarantines, health laws, regulations of the press, banking institutions, training militia, etc., etc.

Our rulers can have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them.

A democratic society depends upon an informed and educated citizenry.