“There are men, in all ages, who mean to exercise power usefully; but who mean to exercise it. They mean to govern well; but they mean to govern. They promise to be kind masters; but they mean to be masters.”
– Daniel Webster, A speech delivered at Niblo’s Saloon, in New York, on the 15 of March, 1837

“No power but Congress can declare war; but what is the value of this constitutional provision, if the President of his own authority may make such military movements as must bring on war? … [T]hese remarks originate purely
in a desire to maintain the powers of government as they are established by the Constitution between the different departments, and hope that, whether we have conquests or no conquests, war or no war, peace or no peace, we shall yet preserve, in its integrity and strength, the Constitution of the United States.”
– Daniel Webster, December 2, 1846 speech in Philadelphia

“It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment — Independence now and Independence forever.”
– Daniel Webster, Discourse in Commemoration of Adams and Jefferson, Faneuil Hall, Boston (August 2, 1826)

“God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.”
– Daniel Webster, Speech (June 3, 1834)

“On this question of principle, while actual suffering was yet afar off, they [the Colonies] raised their flag against a power to which, for purposes of foreign conquest and subjugation, Rome in the height of her glory is not to be compared — a power which has dotted over the surface of the whole globe with her possessions and military posts, whose morning drumbeat, following the sun, and keeping company with the hours, circles the earth with one continuous and unbroken strain of the martial airs of England.”
– Daniel Webster, Speech (May 7, 1834)