Historic Views on Government – Webster

Honest opinion about government from Daniel Webster:

An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, the power to destroy.
   argument in McCullough v. Maryland, Supreme Court, 1819

In the nature of things, those who have no property and see their neighbors possess much more than they think them to need, cannot be favorable to laws made for the protection of property. When this class becomes numerous, it becomes clamorous. It looks on property as its prey and plunder, and is naturally ready, at times, for violence and revolution.
   address, Massachusetts Convention, 1820

Whatever government is not a government of laws, is a despotism, let it be called what it may.
   speech, Aug. 25, 1825

A lawyer and politician famous for his oratory, Daniel Webster won national recognition in the Supreme Court case McCullough v. Maryland (1819). He was a Federalist and represented New Hampshire in the House of Representatives (1813-1817). After he moved to Boston, he served in the House (1823-1827) and Senate (1827-1841, 1845-1850). Webster was Secretary of State under Presidents Harrison (1841-1843) and Fillmore (1850-1852).

Quotation and short bio from The Quotable Conservative: The Giants of Conservatism on Liberty, Freedom, Individual Responsibility, and Traditional Values. Rod L. Evans and Irwin M. Berent, editors. Holbrook, Mass.: Adams Publishing, 1996.