A government regulating itself by what is wise and just for the many, uninfluenced by the local and selfish views of the few who direct their affairs, has not been seen, perhaps, on earth. Or if it existed for a moment at the birth of ours, it would not be easy to fix the term of its continuance. Still, I believe it does exist here in a greater degree than anywhere else; and for its growth and continuance... I offer sincere prayers.

Every people may establish what form of government they please, and change it as they please, the will of the nation being the only thing essential.

I really look with commiseration over the great body of my fellow citizens who, reading newspapers, live and die in the belief that they have known something of what has been passing in their times.

There is no habit you will value so much as that of walking far without fatigue.

The moral sense is the first excellence of well-organized man.

It may be regarded as certain that not a foot of land will ever be taken from the Indians without their own consent.

I am not among those who fear the people. They, and not the rich, are our dependence for continued freedom.