" Ah, this is the constitution," he said. "Now, mark my words. So long as we are a young and virtuous people, this instument will bind us together in mutual interests, mutual welfare, and mutual happiness. But when we become old and corrupt, it will bind no longer." |
“A constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by judges, as a fundamental law. It therefore belongs to them to ascertain its meaning, as well as the meaning of any particular act proceeding from the Legislative body. If there should happen to be an irreconcilable variance between the two, that which has superior obligation and validity ought, of course, to be preferred; or, in other words, the constitution ought to be preferred to the statute.” |
A national debt, if it is not excessive, will be to us a national blessing. |
A promise must never be broken |
A promise must never be broken |
A well adjusted person is one who makes the same mistake twice without getting nervous. |
Constitutions should consist only of general provisions; the reason is that they must necessarily be permanent, and that they cannot calculate for the possible change of things |
decency. |
Even to observe neutrality you must have a strong government. |
Here, sir, the people govern; here they act by their immediate representatives |
I have learned to hold popular opinion of no value |
I never expect to see a perfect work from an imperfect man |
I think the first duty of society is justice |
I think the first duty of society is justice |
If circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude, that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people, while there is a large body of citizens little if at all inferior to them in discipline and |