If Clinton was the Hampden of the colonial period, Robert Yates could well be called its Pym.

He set the custom of dictating bills in chancery to an amanuensis, doing it with such accuracy that a word had seldom to be changed.

As he lived, so he died, a strange, lonely, unhappy man, out of tune with the beautiful world in which he was permitted to exist upward of four score years.

Perhaps, on the whole, nothing in Van Buren's official life showed greater political courage or discernment.

If Joel Weed lived as a beggar, Thurlow thought as a king.

I discerned also unmistakable evidences of stern integrity, earnest patriotism, and unswerving fidelity.

The act and the veto amounted to an appeal to the people, and in an instant the country was on fire.

The evident purpose of the United States Bank was to create, if possible, the fear of a panic.

And what have I to lose by withdrawing and leaving the party unembarrassed?

He saw the importance of devoting the resources of the State to the reduction of its debt.

Its attitude was strong, defiant, and its only purpose apparently was to create a public sentiment hostile to the extension of slavery.

Gerrit Smith was a noble example of the champions of freedom.

The heart of the country is fixed on higher and nobler things.

He represented Republican principles and aims more fully than any man in the country, but Thurlow Weed, looking into the future through the eyes of a practical politician, disbelieved in Republican success.

Of imposing appearance, he looked like a man formed to rule.

An enthusiast broods over the oppression of a people, until he fancies himself commissioned by heaven to liberate them.

In less than twelve months we shall be in war, and that the bloodiest in history.

And, Governor Seward, I have made it, though it be conceited in me to say so.

Why should we now make any concessions to them?

This is the spirit in which I have determined for myself to come up to this great question, and to pass through it.

No, Sirs! we know very little of the art of war, and General Scott a great deal.

Public sentiment generally sustained the Administration in such action, but many persons, including conservative Republicans, frequently questioned the right or justice of such procedure.

Thoughtful men who were not in any sense political partisans gave careful heed to his words.

The absence of violent democratic innovations was the Constitution's remarkable feature.