American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

Daniel Webster (January 18, 1782-October 24, 1852) was an American attorney, politician and diplomat. His political career spanned almost four decades. Considered one of the greatest orators in American history, he argued cases before the Supreme Court, served as Secretary of State for President William Henry Harrison, President John Tyler and President Millard Fillmore. He graduated from Dartmouth College, 1801; was admitted to the bar, 1805; elected U.S. Representative 1812; practiced law in Boston, 1816; argued 223 cases before the Supreme Court; was elected U.S. Representative, 1822; and was elected a U.S. Senator, 1827. By a resolution of the Senate,...

Virginia Governor Thomas Jefferson (1781) wrote in his Notes of the State of Virginia, Query XVIII: <God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever; That a revolution of the wheel of fortune, a change of...

Sir David Brewster (December 11, 1781-February 10, 1868) was a Scottish physicist. In 1817, he patented his invention of the kaleidoscope. He founded the science of optical mineralogy, involving light polarization, and was a founder and President of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. Sir David Brewster stated: <I shall see Jesus, and that will be grand!...Oh, is it not sad that all are not contented with the beautiful simple plan of salvation-Jesus Christ only-who has done so much for us. "Notwithstanding his talents!" That disgusts me: merit for a man to bow his intellect to the Cross!...

John MacPherson Berrien (August 23, 1781-January 1, 1856) was a U.S. Senator, 1824-29, 1841-52; served in the War of 1812; was a Georgia State Senator, 1822-23; and was attorney general under President Jackson, 1829-31. He stated: <I have an abiding confidence that the God of our fathers will be the God of their children-that He will be our God; that He will graciously enable us to preserve that glorious fabric, which His mercy and His goodness, not the might of and strength of our ancestors, enabled them to construct; and that countless generations, enjoying the rich heritage which they have...

Congress of the Confederation (March 1, 1781) formally began operating under the Articles of Confederation, as the thirteenth state, Maryland, finally granted ratification. The Articles of Confederation, which were proposed in the Continental Congress, November 15, 1777; and signed July 9, 1778; constituted the government in America prior to the writing of the United States Constitution, 1787: <Preamble. Whereas the delegates of the United States of America in Congress assembled did on the fifteenth day of November in the Year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven, and in the second year of the independence of America...