I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.

The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend to all the happiness of man.

It is true that in the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit, and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public debt.

There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government, and provision should be made to prevent its ascendency.

We must meet our duty and convince the world that we are just friends and brave enemies.

Honesty and interest are as intimately connected in the public as in the private code of morality.

Independence can be trusted nowhere but with the people in mass. They are inherently independent of all but moral law.