AmericanStatesman, US congressman (1811-14, 1815-21, 1823-25) and US senator (1806-07, 1810-11, 1831-42, 1849-52), 1777-1852 Popularity:
“The Constitution of the United States was made not merely for the generation that then existed, but for posterity- unlimited, undefined, endless, perpetual posterity”
“Let him who elevates himself above humanity . . . say, if he pleases, "I will never compromise"; but let no one who is not above the frailties of our common nature disdain compromise.”
“Government is a trust, and the officers of the government are trustees; and both the trust and the trustees are created for the benefit of the people”
“Yes, sir, from Constantinople, or from the Brazil; from Turk or Christian; from black or white; from the dey of Algiers or the bey of Tunis; from the devil himself, if he wore a crown, we should receive a minister”