Daniel Webster

Let us not forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man. When tillage begins, other arts will follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of civilization.

No man not inspired can make a good speech without preparation.

We have been taught to regard a representative of the people as a sentinel on the watch-tower of liberty.

I was born an American; I will live an American; I shall die an American.

Man is a special being, and if left to himself, in an isolated condition, would be one of the weakest creatures; but associated with his kind, he works wonders.

Hold on, my friends, to the Constitution of your country and the government established under it. Leave evils which exist in some parts of the country, but which are beyond your control, to the all-wise direction of an over-ruling Providence. Perform those duties which are present, plain and positive. Respect the laws of your country.

I regard it (the Constitution) as the work of the purest patriots and wisest statesman that ever existed, aided by the smiles of a benign Providence; it almost appears a "Divine interposition in our behalf... the hand that destroys our Constitution rends our Union asunder forever.

When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization.

Whatever government is not a government of laws, is a despotism, let it be called what it may.

The proper function of a government is to make it easy for the people to do good, and difficult for them to do evil.

The world is governed more by appearance than realities so that it is fully as necessary to seem to know something as to know it.

God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.