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When the spotless ermine of the judicial robe fell on John Jay, it touched nothing less spotless than itself.

— Daniel Webster

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Source, in full

at a public dinner, New York City (March 10, 1831); in The Writings and Speeches of Daniel Webster (1903), vol. 2, p. 51. The dinner was given in Webster's honor by the citizens of New York, to thank him for his defense of the Constitution in the previous session of Congress.

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Justice

More quotes by Daniel Webster

God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.

It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment,—Independence now and Independence forever.

Discourse in Commemoration of Adams and Jefferson (1826)

There is nothing so powerful as truth — and often nothing so strange.

Argument on the murder of Captain Joseph White (1830)

One country, one constitution, one destiny.

When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization.

On the Agriculture of England (1840)

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Daniel Webster (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.