Quotes from James K. Polk

It becomes us in humility to make our devout acknowledgments to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for the inestimable civil and religious blessings with which we are favored.

All distinctions of birth or of rank have been abolished. All citizens, whether native or adopted, are placed upon terms of precise equality. All are entitled to equal rights and equal protection.

The whole frame of the Federal Constitution proves that the government which it creates was intended to be one of limited and specified powers.

One great object of the Constitution was to restrain majorities from oppressing minorities or encroaching upon their just rights.

No union exists between church and state, and perfect freedom of opinion is guaranteed to all sects and creeds.

Peace, plenty, and contentment reign throughout our borders, and our beloved country presents a sublime moral spectacle to the world.

We must ever mandate the principle that the people of this continent alone have the right to decide their own destiny.

Thank God, under our Constitution there was no connection between church and state.

Our relations with the various Indian tribes continue to be of a pacific character.

The Constitution itself, plainly written as it is, the safeguard of our federative compact, the offspring of concession and compromise, binding together in the bonds of peace and union this great and increasing family of free and independent States, will be the chart by which I shall be directed.

The world has nothing to fear from military ambition in our Government.

It is of great importance to our country generally, and especially to our navigating and whaling interests, that the Pacific Coast and, indeed, the whole of our territory west of the Rocky Mountains, should speedily be filled up by a hardy and patriotic population.