Eloquence may truly be considered in every country, where the freedom of speech is indulged, as synonimous with civic honours, wealth, dignity and might. In the last particular, its potency is that of a magician. It wields at will our fierce democracie.

"Select Speeches" [Review of Select Speeches, Forensick and Parliamentary (1808) by Nathaniel Chapman] in The Port Folio, ser. 3, vol. 2, no. 1 (July 1809) p. 23. The phrase "fierce democracie" is quoted in Fitz-Greene Halleck's poem "Connecticut" and in John G. Saxe's poem "The Proud Miss MacBride: A Legend of Gotham", st. 13