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The very essence of a free government consists in considering offices as public trusts, bestowed for the good of the country, and not for the benefit of an individual or a party.

— John C. Calhoun

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More quotes by John C. Calhoun

In looking back, I see nothing to regret, and little to correct.

It is harder to preserve than to obtain liberty.

All this combined contributed greatly to strengthen the bonds of the Union.

On the Subject of Slavery (1850)

Protection and patriotism are reciprocal.

I never use the word "nation" in speaking of the United States. I always use the word "Union" or "Confederacy." We are not a nation but a union, a confederacy of equal and sovereign States.

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