Peace, above all things, is to be desired, but blood must sometimes be spilled to obtain it on equable and lasting terms.

Americans are not a perfect people, but we are called to a perfect mission.

Fear not, the people may be deluded for a moment, but cannot be corrupted.

The Constitution and the laws are supreme and the Union indissoluble.

Elevate those guns a little lower.

The brave man inattentive to his duty, is worth little more to his country than the coward who deserts in the hour of danger.

Democracy shows not only its power in reforming governments, but in regenerating a race of men and this is the greatest blessing of free governments.

I feel in the depths of my soul that it is the highest, most sacred, and most irreversible part of my obligation to preserve the union of these states, although it may cost me my life.

War is a blessing compared with national degradation.

No one need think that the world can be ruled without blood. The civil sword shall and must be red and bloody.

Disunion by force is treason.

I would sincerely regret, and which never shall happen whilst I am in office, a military guard around the President.

Mr. Van Buren, your friends may be leaving you but my friends never leave me.

I cannot consent that my mortal body shall be laid in a repository prepared for an Emperor or a King my republican feelings and principles forbid it the simplicity of our system of government forbids it.

I am a Senator against my wishes and feelings, which I regret more than any other of my life.

I've got big shoes to fill. This is my chance to do something. I have to seize the moment.

Nullification means insurrection and war; and the other states have a right to put it down.

To the victors belong the spoils.

In England the judges should have independence to protect the people against the crown. Here the judges should not be independent of the people, but be appointed for not more than seven years. The people would always re-elect the good judges.

Our government is founded upon the intelligence of the people. I for one do not despair of the republic. I have great confidence in the virtue of the great majority of the people, and I cannot fear the result.