When the white man governs himself, that is self- government; but when he governs himself and also governs another man, that is more than self-government—that is despotism.

This is a world of compensation; and he who would be no slave must consent to have no slave. Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and, under a just God, cannot long retain it.

It is a quality of revolutions not to go by old lines or old laws; but to break up both, and make new ones.

With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed. Consequently he who molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions.

A universal leeling, whether well or ill founded, cannot be safely disregarded.

While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in the short space of four years.

Why should there not be a patient confidence in the ultimate justice of the people? Is there any better or equal hope in the world?

We shall sooner have the fowl by hatching the egg than by smashing it.

A nation may be said to consist of its territory, its people, and its laws. The territory is the only part which is of certain durability.

Moral principle is a looser bond than pecuniary interest.