Under the absolute sway of an individual despot the body was attacked in order to subdue the soul, and the soul escaped the blows which were directed… - Alexis de Tocqueville

The lawyers of the United States form a party which is but little feared and scarcely perceived, which has no badge peculiar to itself, which adapts itself with great flexibility to the exigencies of the time, and accommodates itself to all the movements of the social body; but this party extends over the whole community, and it penetrates into all classes of society; it acts upon the country imperceptibly, but it finally fashions it to suit its purposes.

He who in given cases consents to obey his fellows with servility, and who submits his will, and even his thoughts, to their control, how can he pretend that he wishes to be free?

There are two things which a democratic people will always find very difficult - to begin a war and to end it.