The only greater [evil] than separation... [is] living under a government of discretion.

If ever this vast country is brought under a single government, it will be one of the most extensive corruption, indifferent and incapable of a wholesome care over so wide a spread of surface. This will not be borne, and you will have to choose between reform and revolution. If I know the spirit of this country, the one or the other is inevitable.

Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst, and cold.

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.

Bodily decay is gloomy in prospect, but of all human contemplations the most abhorrent is body without mind.

The opinions of men are not the object of civil government, nor under its jurisdiction.

The greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add a useful plant to its culture. --The Fruit Hunters