Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page [181-196] of 196 Congress quotesCongress QuotesCongress Previous 20 quotes I am different from Washington; I have a higher, grander standard of principle. Washington could not lie. I can lie, but I won't.~ Mark Twain Fleas can be taught nearly anything that a Congressman can.~ Mark Twain All Congresses and Parliaments have a kindly feeling for idiots, and a compassion for them, on account of personal experience and heredity.~ Mark Twain There is no distinctly native American criminal class save Congress.~ Mark Twain Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.~ Mark Twain Congressman is the trivialist distinction for a full grown man.~ Mark Twain ...the intent of the lawmaker is to be found in the language that he has used.~ United States Supreme Court When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not guilty.' ~ Unknown In this country sovereignty resides in the people, and Congress can exercise no power which they have not, by their Constitution, entrusted to it: All else is withheld.~ U.S. Supreme Court Congress may not abdicate or transfer to others its legitimate functions.~ U.S. Supreme Court The ideal form of government is democracy tempered with assassination.~ Voltaire I never liked the atmosphere of Washington. I early saw that it was impossible to build up a race of which the leaders were spending most of their time, thought and energy in trying to get into office, or in trying to stay there after they were in.~ Booker T. Washington No power but Congress can declare war, but what is the value of this constitutional provision, if the President of his own authority may make such military movements as must bring on war?~ Daniel Webster No power but Congress can declare war; but what is the value of this constitutional provision, if the President of his own authority may make such military movements as must bring on war? ... [T]hese remarks originate purely in a desire to maintain the powers of government as they are established by the Constitution between the different departments, and hope that, whether we have conquests or no conquests, war or no war, peace or no peace, we shall yet preserve, in its integrity and strength, the Constitution of the United States.~ Daniel Webster Another source of power in government is a military force. But this, to be efficient, must be superior to any force that exists among the people, or which they can command; for otherwise this force would be annihilated, on the first exercise of acts of oppression. Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States. A military force, at the command of Congress, can execute no laws, but such as the people perceive to be just and constitutional; for they will possess the power, and jealousy will instantly inspire the inclination, to resist the execution of a law which appears to them unjust and oppressive.~ Noah Webster Why not include a provision that everybody shall, in good weather, hunt on his own land and catch fish in rivers that are public property and that Congress shall never restrain any inhabitant of America from eating and drinking, at seasonable times, or prevent his lying on his left side, in a long winter's night, or even on his back, when he is fatigued by lying on his right.~ Noah Webster Previous 20 quotes Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print