James Beck: “What, gracious God, is man that there should be such inconsistency, and perfidiousness in his conduct!”

It did not believe that the State was omnipotent or infallible, and yet it proclaimed its authority within wise and just limits.

Without that vision to restrain each succeeding generation of Americans from the tempting excesses of political power, the American Commonwealth, with its great heterogeneous democracy, would probably perish.

Its protection should be given to those of superior skill and diligence, who ask the due rewards of such superiority.

If it ceases to be of the spirit of the people, then the yellow parchment whereon it is inscribed can avail nothing.