Upon you, fellow-citizens, as the representatives of the States and the people, is wisely devolved the legislative power.

May God save the country, for it is evident that the people will not.

God knows I detest slavery but it is an existing evil, and we must endure it and give it such protection as is guaranteed by the Constitution.

Nations, like individuals in a state of nature, are equal and independent, possessing certain rights and owing certain duties to each other.

The nourishment is palatable.

Nothing brings out the lower traits of human nature like office-seeking. Men of good character and impulses are betrayed by it into all sorts of meanness.