We Cannot Make Events. Our Business Is

Our Contest Is Not Only Whether We Ourselves Shall Be Free, But Whether There Shall Be Left To Mankind An Asylum On Earth For Civil And Religious Liberty.

Could I Be Assured That America Would Remain Virtuous, I Would Venture To Defy The Utmost Efforts Of Enemies To Subjugate Her.

If Men Of Wisdom And Knowledge, Of Moderation And Temperance, Of Patience, Fortitude And Perseverance, Of Sobriety And True Republican Simplicity Of Manners, Of Zeal For The Honour Of The Supreme Being And The Welfare Of The Commonwealth; If Men Possessed Of These Other Excellent Qualities Are Chosen To Fill The Seats Of Government, We May Expect That Our Affairs Will Rest On A Solid And Permanent Foundation.

It Is Always Dangerous To The Liberties Of The People To Have An Army Stationed Among Them, Over Which They Have No Control ... The Militia Is Composed Of Free Citizens. There Is Therefore No Danger Of Their Making Use Of Their Power To The Destruction Of Their Own Rights, Or Suffering Others To Invade Them.

A Nation Of Shopkeepers Are Very Seldom So Disinterested.