John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Page 532
| Daniel Webster. (1782–1852) (continued) |
| 5514 |
| The law: It has honored us; may we honor it. |
| Toast at the Charleston Bar Dinner, May 10, 1847. Vol. ii. p. 394. |
| 5515 |
| I have read their platform, and though I think there are some unsound places in it, I can stand upon it pretty well. But I see nothing in it both new and valuable. “What is valuable is not new, and what is new is not valuable.” |
| Speech at Marshfield, Sept. 1, 1848. P. 433. |
| 5516 |
| Labour in this country is independent and proud. It has not to ask the patronage of capital, but capital solicits the aid of labor. |
| Speech, April, 1824. Vol. iii. p. 141. |
| 5517 |
| The gentleman has not seen how to reply to this, otherwise than by supposing me to have advanced the doctrine that a national debt is a national blessing. 1 |
| Second Speech on Foot’s Resolution, Jan. 26, 1830. P. 303. |
| 5518 |
| 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. |
| Second Speech on Foot’s Resolution, Jan. 26, 1830. P. 316. |
| 5519 |
| 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. |
| Second Speech on Foot’s Resolution, Jan. 26, 1830. P. 317. |
| 5520 |
| The people’s government, made for the people, made by the people, and answerable to the people. 2 |
| Second Speech on Foot’s Resolution, Jan. 26, 1830. P. 321. |
| Note 1. A national debt, if it is not excessive, will be to us a national blessing.—Alexander Hamilton. [back] |
| Note 2. When the State of Pennsylvania held its convention to consider the Constitution of the United States, Judge Wilson said of the introductory clause, “We, the people, do ordain and establish,” etc.: “It is not an unmeaning flourish. The expressions declare in a practical manner the principle of this Constitution. It is ordained and established by the people themselves.” This as regarded as an authoritative exposition.—The Nation. That government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.—Abraham Lincoln: Speech at Gettysburg, Nov. 19, 1863. [back] |