"Constitutions should consist only of general provisions; the reason is that they must necessarily be..." — Alexander Hamilton

To all general purposes we have uniformly been one people, each individual citizen everywhere enjoying the same national rights, privileges, and protection.

Safety from external danger is the most powerful director of national conduct. Even the ardent love of liberty will, after a time, give way to its dictates.

Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint.

In the usual progress of things, the necessities of a nation in every stage of its existence will be found at least equal to its resources.