More than elsewhere the seat of power is in the Senate, and the Senate and Senators are careful to exact a recognition of their rights.

They claim, what from the beginning they have enjoyed, the right to be heard by the President and the heads of departments in their respective States.

They do not claim to speak authoritatively, but as members of the Government having a right to advise, and under a certain responsibility to the people for what may be done.

Such a condition of affairs is always a hindrance in the way of good government, and it may become an obstacle to success.

Good government can be secured only through conferences with those who are responsible, by conciliation, and not infrequently by concessions to the holders of adverse opinions.

I said only in reply: "I am the custodian of my own duty.

Sumner, and without accepting a seat, I said: "Senator, if you ever mention General Grant's name in my presence, I will never again cross your threshold.

Our conversations concerning General Grant were resumed free from all restrictions, and without any disturbance of feeling on my part.

Above all things else of a public nature, he cherished the good name of the commonwealth, and for himself there was nothing more precious than her approval.

The chief assurance for any considerable well-doing in the world is to be found in good purposes and in fixedness of purpose when a purpose has been formed.

He could not concede small points for the sake of a great result.

His declaration as to the status of the States that had been in rebellion was not far away from the policy that was adopted finally, but he did not accept as wise and necessary measures the amendments to the Constitution which were…

The field of his success is to be found in the argumentative power that he possessed and in its use for the overthrow of slavery.

Then Jackson, who had gained something--indeed, a good deal by his defence of the Union when compared with what he might have lost by neglect of duty in the days of nullification.

Washington had gained much by demonstrating his capacity for civil affairs, by the legacy of his farewell address, and by the shaping of the new government under the Constitution in a manner calculated to strengthen the quality of…

In two important particulars, Samuel Adams and Charles Sumner are parallel characters in American history.

As every guarantee for freedom contains some element of enslavement over or against some who are not within the guarantee, men sometimes hesitate as to the wisdom of accepting guarantees of rights in one direction which work a limitation…

The Constitution of the United States, while it gave power to the body of States and guaranteed security to each yet deprived the individual States of many of the privileges and powers that they had enjoyed as colonies.

Every amendment to the Constitution, from the first to the last, has limited the application of the doctrine of home rule in government.

I left the Treasury and General Grant's Cabinet with reluctance, but my experience in both branches of the government had led me to prefer the legislative branch, where there is at least more freedom of action than can be had in the…

Venal men aspiring to place, avow themselves the friends of the Secretary, and if through such avowals they secure appointments, the offices will be used for improper purposes.

The policy pursued in the office of Secretary of the Treasury by your successor I hope may be as successful as yours has been, and that no departure from it will be made except such as experience and change of circumstances may make…

You take with you my most sincere well wishes for your success as a legislator and as a citizen, and the assurance of my desire to continue the warm personal relations that have existed between us during the whole of our official…

The Pacific Railways were built by the aid of the Government and under the pressure of a general public opinion that the East must be brought into a more intimate connection with our possessions on the Pacific Ocean, for mutual support and…

My active radicalism had alienated the conservative Republicans.