The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that... it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.

History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which their civil as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purposes.

All persons shall have full and free liberty of religious opinion; nor shall any be compelled to frequent or maintain any religious institution.

Everyone must act according to the dictates of his own reason.

[O]ur rules can have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them. The rights of conscience we never submitted, we could not submit. We are answerable for them to our God.

I don't want them to kill no hog . . . . I want a man to go to that chair, on his own two feet.

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