The people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that the constitutional charter, under which the several branches of government hold their power, is derived.

The essence of Government is power and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.

And I have no doubt that every new example will succeed, as every past one has done, in showing that religion and Government will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together.

Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Government.

In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority.