That there are men in all countries who get their living by war, and by keeping up the quarrels of Nations is as shocking as it is true.

Our citizenship in the United States is our national character. Our citizenship in any particular state is only our local distinction. By the latter we are known at home, by the former to the world. Our great title is AMERICANS.

Taxes were not raised to carry on wars, but that wars were raised to carry on taxes.

Governments arise either out of the people or over the people.

It has been the scheme of the Christian Church, and of all the other invented systems of religion, to hold man in ignorance of the Creator, as it is of Government to hold man in ignorance of his rights. The systems of the one are as false as those of the other, and are calculated for mutual support.

Independence is my happiness, and I view things as they are, without regard to place or person; my country is the world, and my religion is to do good.

It is only by the exercise of reason that man can discover God.