[A] spirit of justice and friendly accomodation...is our duty and our interest to cultivate with all nations.

In the fevered state of our country, no good can ever result from any attempt to set one of these fiery zealots to rights, either in fact or principle. They are determined as to the facts they will believe, and the opinions on which they will act. Get by them, therefore, as you would by an angry bull; it is not for a man of sense to dispute the road with such an animal.

It takes time to persuade men to do even what is for their own good.

Always take hold of things by the smooth handle grateful that they are not worse rather than the rough handle, bitter that they are not better.

Government can do something for the people only in proportion as it can do something to the people.

Easter was when they nailed Him to the cross. And He never said a mumbling word.

To instruct the mass of our citizens in these, their rights, interests and duties, as men and citizens...this brings us to the point at which are to commence the higher branches of education . . . . To develop the reasoning faculties of our youth, enlarge their minds, cultivate their morals, and instill into them the precepts of virtue and order.