The fabric of American empire ought to rest on the solid basis of the consent of the people.

Safety from external danger is the most powerful director of national conduct. Even the ardent love of liberty will, after a time, give way to its dictates.

A strong sense of the value of union induced the people, at a very early period, to institute a federal government.

The Union will be more happy, more respectable, and more durable, if all the parts of it consider themselves as mutual friends and fellow-citizens.

Among the many objects to which a wise and free people find it necessary to direct their attention, that of providing for their safety seems to be the first.

It is not to be doubted that a unanimous and punctual observance of treaties and public engagements are the best fruits of good faith and honorable integrity.

Nothing is more certain than the indispensable necessity of government, and it is equally undeniable, that whenever and however it is instituted, the people must cede to it some of their natural rights, in order to vest it with requisite powers.

To all general purposes we have uniformly been one people, each individual citizen everywhere enjoying the same national rights, privileges, and protection.

Providence has been pleased to give this one connected country to one united people—a people descended from the same ancestors, speaking the same language, professing the same religion, attached to the same principles of government.

The people are the sovereign of this country, and consequently the founders of such a society as that of the United States.

The vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty.