Errors were doubtless committed on all sides, delusions set on foot which there was not time to dissipate and means, designed for good ends, perverte… - Martin Van Buren

The practice of all my predecessors imposes on me an obligation I cheerfully fulfill—to accompany the first and solemn act of my public trust with an avowal of the principles that will guide me in performing it and an expression of my feelings on assuming a charge so responsible and vast.

From a small community we have risen to a people powerful in numbers and in strength; but with our increase has gone hand in hand the progress of just principles.

All the lessons of history and experience must be lost upon us if we are content to trust alone to the peculiar advantages we happen to possess.