Edmund Burke: “There was policy in this; and it served to prevent the numberless disorders which arose from the late civil commotions.”

They will become flatterers instead of legislators,--the instruments, not the guides of the people.

I think our happy situation owing to our Constitution,--but owing to the whole of it, and not to any part singly,--owing in a great measure to what we have left standing in our several reviews and reformations, as well as to what we have…

If any of them should happen to propose a scheme of liberty soberly limited, and defined with proper qualifications, he will be immediately outbid by his competitors, who will produce something more splendidly popular.

Our people will find employment enough for a truly patriotic, free, and independent spirit, in guarding what they possess from violation.