I consider the government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or exercises. This results not only from the provision that no law shall be made respecting the establishment or free exercise of religion, but from that also which reserves to the States the powers not delegated to the United States. Certainly, no power to prescribe any religious exercise or to assume authority in any religious discipline has been delegated to the General Government. It must then rest with the States.

Where thought is free in its range, we need never fear to hazard what is good in itself.

Hemp is one of the greatest, most important substances of our nation

I can scarcely contemplate a more incalculable evil than the breaking of the Union into two or more parts.

It is in our lives and not our words that our religion must be read.

Experience has taught me that manufacturers are now as necessary to our independence as to our comfort.

The clergy ... believe that any portion of power confided to me [as President] will be exerted in opposition to their schemes. And they believe rightly: for I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. But this is all they have to fear from me: and enough, too, in their opinion.