Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished read more

Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people in order to betray them.

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one
people to dissolve the political bands which read more

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one
people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them
with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the
separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of
Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of
mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel
them to the separation.
We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the
Pursuit of Happiness--That to secure these Rights, Governments
are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the
the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of
Government becomes destructive to these Ends, it is the Right of
the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new
Government, laying its foundation on such Principles and
and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem
most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. . . .

America now stands as the world's foremost power. We should be proud: Not since the age of the Romans have read more

America now stands as the world's foremost power. We should be proud: Not since the age of the Romans have one people achieved such preeminence. But we are not Romans; we do not seek an empire. We are Americans, trustees of a vision and a heritage that commit us to the values of democracy and the universal cause of human rights.

My toast would be, may our country always be successful, but
whether successful or otherwise, always right.

My toast would be, may our country always be successful, but
whether successful or otherwise, always right.

Asylum of the oppressed of every nation.

Asylum of the oppressed of every nation.

O, Columbia, the gem of the ocean,
The home of the brave and the free,
The shrine read more

O, Columbia, the gem of the ocean,
The home of the brave and the free,
The shrine of each patriot's devotion,
A world offers homage to them.

The light may be fading on the 20th century, but the sun is still
rising on America.

The light may be fading on the 20th century, but the sun is still
rising on America.

"The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism.... read more

"The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism.... It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn." --George Washington

The breaking waves dashed high
On a stern and rock-bound coast;
And the woods against a stormy read more

The breaking waves dashed high
On a stern and rock-bound coast;
And the woods against a stormy sky,
Their giant branches toss'd.