A strong conviction that something must be done is the parent of many bad measures. Daniel Webster More Quotes by Daniel Webster More Quotes From Daniel Webster Nothing is more deceptive or more dangerous than the pretence of a desire to simplify government. The simplest governments are despotisms; the next simplest, limited monarchies; but all republics, all governments of law, must impose numerous limitations and qualifications of authority, and give many positive and many qualified rights. Daniel Webster government rights law Corruption of morals is rapid enough in any country without a bounty from government. And...the Chief Magistrate of the United States should be the last man to accelerate its progress. Daniel Webster progress men country I shall enter on no encomium upon Massachusetts; she needs none. There she is. Behold her, and judge for yourselves. There is her history; the world knows it by heart. The past, at least, is secure. There is Boston and Concord and Lexington and Bunker Hill; and there they will remain forever. Daniel Webster boston heart past A free government with an uncontrolled power of military conscription is the most ridiculous and abominable contradiction and nonsense that ever entered into the heads of men. Daniel Webster military men war I do not propose to be buried until I am dead. Daniel Webster propose buried I still live. Pretty. Daniel Webster near-death-experience near-death death On the other hand, the cultivation of the religious sentiment represses licentiousnessinspires respect for law and order, and gives strength to the whole social fabric, at the same time that it conducts the human soul upward to the Author of its being. Daniel Webster religious order hands A sense of duty pursues us ever. It is omnipresent, like the Deity. If we take to ourselves the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, duty performed or duty violated is still with us, for our happiness or our misery. If we say the darkness shall cover us, in the darkness as in the light our obligations are yet with us. Daniel Webster light morning happiness I thank God, that if I am gifted with little of the spirit which is able to raise mortals to the skies, I have yet none, as I trust, of that other spirit which would drag angels down. Daniel Webster thank-god angel sky Liberty exists in proportion to wholesome restraint. Daniel Webster wholesomeness 4th-of-july liberty We have been taught to regard a representative of the people as a sentinel on the watch-tower of liberty. Daniel Webster liberty watches people America has furnished to the world the character of Washington. And if our American institutions had done nothing else, that alone would have entitled them to the respect of mankind. Daniel Webster done character america The farmers are the founders of civilization. Daniel Webster agriculture founders civilization The Bible is a book of faith, and a book of doctrine, and a book of morals, and a book of religion, of especial revelation from God. Daniel Webster doctrine book religion It is, Sir, as I have said, a small College, And yet, there are those who love it. Daniel Webster dartmouth college love I am committed against every thing which in my judgment, may weaken, endanger, or destroy (the Constitution) ... and especially against all extension of Executive power; and I am committed against any attempt to rule the free people of this country by the power and the patronage of the Government itself. Daniel Webster government country people If we cherish the virtues and the principles of our fathers, Heaven will assist us to carry on the work of human liberty and human happiness. Auspicious omens cheer us. Great examples are before us. Our own firmament now shines brightly upon our path. Daniel Webster cheer shining father A disordered currency is one of the greatest political evils. Daniel Webster currency political evil If the blessings of our political and social condition have not been too highly estimated, we cannot well overrate the responsibility and duty which they impose upon us. We hold these institutions of government, religion, and learning, to be transmitted, as well as enjoyed. We are in the line of conveyance, through which whatever has been obtained by the spirit and efforts of our ancestors is to be communicated to our children. Daniel Webster responsibility blessing children No man can suffer too much, and no man can fall too soon, if he suffer or if he fall in defense of the liberties and Constitution of his country. Daniel Webster men country fall
