From “Second Speech on Sir Robert Walpole.”

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For this great evil some immediate remedy must be provided; and I confess, my lords, I did hope that his Majesty’s servants would not have suffered so many years of peace to relapse without paying some attention to an object which ought to engage and interest all.  I flattered myself I should see some barriers thrown up in defense of the constitution; some impediment formed to stop the rapid progress of corruption.  I doubt not we all agree that something must be done.  I shall offer my thoughts, such as they are, to the consideration of the House; and I wish that every noble lord that hears me would be as ready as I am to contribute his opinion to this important service.  I will not call my own sentiments crude and undigested.  It would he unfit for me to offer anything to your lordships which I had not well considered; and this subject, I own, has not long occupied my thoughts.  I will now give them to your lordships without reserve.  Lord Chatham.

From “Speech On the State of the Nation.”

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We have the freedom and freshness of a youthful nationality.  We can trace out new paths which must be followed by our successors; we have a right to plant wherever we please the trees under shade of which they will sit.  The independence which we thus enjoy, and the freedom to originate which we can claim, are in themselves privileges, but privileges that carry with them great responsibilities.  John William Dawson.

From “On the Progress of Science in Canada.”

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From your great cities and teeming prairies, from your learned altars and countless cottages, from your palaces on sea and land, from your millions on the waters and your multiplied millions on the plains, let one united cheering voice meet the voice that now comes so earnest from the South, and let the two voices go up in harmonious, united, eternal, ever-swelling chorus, Flag of our Union! wave on; wave ever!  Ay, for it waves over freemen, not subjects; over States, not provinces; over a union of equals, not of lords and vassals; over a land of law, of liberty, and peace, not of anarchy, oppression, and strife!  Benjamin Harvey Hill.

From “On the Perils of the Nation.”

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It is really astonishing to hear such an argument seriously urged in this House.  But, say these gentlemen, if you found yourself upon a precipice, would you stand to inquire how you were led there before you considered how to get off?  No, sir; but if a guide had led me there I should very probably be provoked to throw him over before I thought of anything else.  At least I am sure I should not trust to the same guide for bringing me off; and this, sir, is the strongest argument that can be used for an inquiry.  Lord Chatham.