The will of a majority is the will of a rabble. Progressive democracy is incompatable with liberty. — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
Irresponsible power is inconsistent with liberty, and must corrupt those who exercise it. — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
What we want, above all things on earth in our public men, is independence. It is one great defect in the character… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
The Union next to our liberties the most dear. May we all remember that it can only be preserved by respecting the… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
There is not an example on record of any free state holding a province of the same extent and population without disastrous… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
I hold that there is a mysterious connection between the fate of this country and that of Mexico; so much so that… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
England has not wholly escaped the curse which must ever befall a free government which holds extensive provinces in subjection; for, although… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
Of all earthly blessings, I place Liberty in the first rank, and of course, consider the obligation to defend and preserve it,… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
The defence of human liberty against the aggressions of despotic power have been always the most efficient in States where domestic slavery… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
The very essence of a free government consists in considering offices as public trusts, bestowed for the good of the country, and… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
We have had so many years of prosperity, we have passed through so many difficulties and dangers without the loss of liberty… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
Without thinking or reflecting, we plunge into war, contract heavy debts, increase vastly the patronage of the Executive, and indulge in every… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
Government has no right to control individual liberty beyond what is necessary to the safety and well-being of society. Such is the… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
The danger in our system is that the general government, which represents the interests of the whole, may encroach on the states, which represent… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
Of the two, I considered it more important to avoid a war with England about Oregon than a war with Mexico, important as I… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
The error is in the assumption that the General Government is a party to the constitutional compact. The States ... formed the compact, acting… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
There is not an example on record of any free state holding a province of the same extent and population without disastrous consequences. The… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
It is a remarkable fact in the political history of man that there is scarcely an instance of a free constitutional government which has… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
“Nothing is more difficult than to equalize the action of the government in reference to the various and diversified interests of the community; and… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
I am not one of those who believe that we are bound to vote supplies to cover a deficiency in the treasury whenever called… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
A power has risen up in the government greater than the people themselves, consisting of many and various and powerful interests, combined into one… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
It has been lately urged in a very respectable quarter that it is the mission of this country to spread civil and religious liberty… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
Let a durable and firm peace be established and this government be confined rigidly to the few great objects for which it was instituted,… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
Once established with Great Britain, it would not be difficult, with moderation and prudence, to establish permanent peace with the rest of the world,… — John C. Calhoun Copy Share Image
