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George Washington

"[T]here is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do, to see a plan adopted for the abolition of [slavery]."

"A people ... who are possessed of the spirit of commerce, who see and who will pursue their advantages may achieve almost anything."

"Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness."

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence - it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and fearful master."

"If we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known that we are at all times ready for war."

"It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors."

"Knowledge is, in every country, the surest basis of public happiness."

"My anxious recollections, my sympathetic feeling, and my best wishes are irresistibly excited whensoever, in any country, I see an oppressed nation unfurl the banners of freedom."

"No taxes can be devised which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant."

"The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained."

"'Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent Alliances, with any portion of the foreign world."

"To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace."

"To the distinguished character of patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian."

"Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."