Clay's speeches, extravagant, imprudent, and grandiose, had at least one merit: they were thoroughly American and expressed the opinion of the first generation of Americans that had grown up since the colonies won their freedom.
Beveridge reflects on the significance of Henry Clay's speeches in shaping American identity post-independence.
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It could borrow money, but could not levy taxes or impose duties to pay the debt.
So overwhelming was the popular feeling against a strong National Government that, if the Anti-Constitutionalists had concentrated their attack upon this secret purpose of the leading Constitutionalists to make it such by easy stages, it…
On this, the only vital and enduring question involved, Marshall's views were clear and unshakable.
The Constitution of Virginia of 1776 was the basis upon which was built one of the most perfect political machines ever constructed; and this machine in later years came to be Marshall's great antagonist.
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