The plea of necessity, that eternal argument of all conspirators.

Conscience, that vicegerent of God in the human heart, whose "still small voice" the loudest revelry cannot drown.

The plea of necessity, that eternal argument of all conspirators.

The chains of military despotism, once fastened upon a nation, ages might pass away before they could be shaken off.

The only legitimate right to govern is an express grant of power from the governed.

Is one of the fairest portions of the globe to remain in a state of nature, the haunt of a few wretched savages, when it seems destined by the Creator to give support to a large population and to be the seat of civilization?

The people are the best guardians of their own rights and it is the duty of their executive to abstain from interfering in or thwarting the sacred exercise of the lawmaking functions of their government.