Inconsistencies of opinion, arising from changes of circumstances, are often justifiable.
Liberty consists in wholesome restraint.
The hand that destroys the Constitution rends our Union asunder forever.
If all my talents and powers were to be taken from me by some unscrutable Providence, and I had my choice of keeping but one, I would unhesitatingly ask for be allowed to keep the Power of Speaking, for through it I would quickly recover all the rest.
Mr. President, I wish to speak today, not as a Massachusetts man, nor as a Northern man, but as an American. I speak for the preservation of the Union. Hear me for my cause.
Instruct the mothers of the French people.
Thank God, I also am an American!
If the true spark of religious and civil liberty be kindled, it will burn.
I was born an American; I will live an American; I shall die an American.
A representative form of government rests nor more on political contributions than on those laws which regulate the descent and transmission of property.
Every unpunished murder takes away something from the security of every man’s life.
An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, the power to destroy.
There is no refuge from confession but suicide; and suicide is confession.
The freest government, if it could exist, would not be long acceptable, if the tendency of the laws were to create a rapid accumulation of property in a few hands, and to render the great mass of the population dependent and penniless.
Power naturally and necessarily follows property.
It would seem, then, to be the part of political wisdom to found government on property; and to establish such distribution of property, by the laws which regulate its transmission and alienation, as to interest the great majority of society in the protection of the government.
I shall oppose all slavery extension and all increase of slave representation in all places, at all times, under all circumstances, even against all inducements, against all supposed limitations of great interests, against all combinations, against all compromises.
On the light of Liberty you saw arise the light of Peace, like “another morn,” “Risen on mid-noon;” and the sky on which you closed your eye was cloudless.
The States are nations.
If we abide by the principles taught by the Bible, our country will go on prospering.