American President

Explore 616 quotes by American Presidents

No more revenue ought to be collected from the people than the amount necessary to defray the expenses of a wise, economical, and efficient administration of the Government.

James Buchanan

Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon
Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website

More information about this quote

Topic

Taxes Limited government

Speaker

James Buchanan

Source

Inaugural Address of James Buchanan

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1857 1850s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Buchanan, James. "Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1857, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

In our intercourse with our aboriginal neighbors the same liberality and justice which marked the course prescribed to me by two of my illustrious predecessors when acting under their direction in the discharge of the duties of superintendent and commissioner shall be strictly observed.

William Henry Harrison

Inaugural Address of William Henry Harrison

Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon
Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website

More information about this quote

Topic

US and Native American relations American politics

Speaker

William Henry Harrison

Source

Inaugural Address of William Henry Harrison Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1841 1840s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Harrison, William Henry. "Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1841, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Every citizen owes to the country a vigilant watch and close scrutiny of its public servants and a fair and reasonable estimate of their fidelity and usefulness.

Grover Cleveland

First Inaugural Address of Grover Cleveland

Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon
Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website

More information about this quote

Topic

Civic duty Good government

Speaker

Grover Cleveland

Source

First Inaugural Address of Grover Cleveland Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1885 1880s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Cleveland, Grover. "First Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1885, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

We have cherished the policy of non-interference with affairs of foreign governments wisely inaugurated by Washington, keeping ourselves free from entanglement, either as allies or foes, content to leave undisturbed with them the settlement of their own domestic concerns.

William McKinley

First Inaugural Address of William McKinley

Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon
Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website

More information about this quote

Topic

Non-intervention Isolationism American foreign policy

Speaker

William McKinley

Source

First Inaugural Address of William McKinley Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1897 1890s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

McKinley, William. "First Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1897, Front of original Senate Wing, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Ours was the first revolution in the history of mankind that truly reversed the course of government, and with three little words: "We the People." "We the People" tell the government what to do; it doesn't tell us."We the People" are the driver; the government is the car. And we decide where it should go, and by what route, and how fast. Almost all the world's constitutions are documents in which governments tell the people what their privileges are. Our Constitution is a document in which "We the People" tell the government what it is allowed to do."We the People" are free.

Ronald Reagan

1989 Farewell Address

Read this speech at reaganfoundation.org

More information about this quote

Topic

American Revolution Limited government Government Political theory American politics

Speaker

Ronald Reagan

Source

1989 Farewell Address Presidential Farewell Address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1989 1980s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Reagan, Ronald. "Farewell Address to the Nation." 11 Jan. 1989, Oval Office, The White House, Washington, DC, USA.

The Federal Constitution is a grant from the States to Congress of certain specific powers, and the question whether this grant should be liberally or strictly construed has more or less divided political parties from the beginning.

James Buchanan

Inaugural Address of James Buchanan

Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon
Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website

More information about this quote

Topic

Constitutional theory US Constitution American politics

Speaker

James Buchanan

Source

Inaugural Address of James Buchanan Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1857 1850s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Buchanan, James. "Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1857, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

It is a source of deep regret that in some sections of our country misguided persons have occasionally indulged in schemes and agitations whose object is the destruction of domestic institutions existing in other sections—institutions which existed at the adoption of the Constitution and were recognized and protected by it.

James K. Polk

Inaugural Address of James K. Polk

Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon
Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website

More information about this quote

Topic

Pre-Civil War conflict American politics

Speaker

James K. Polk

Source

Inaugural Address of James K. Polk Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1845 1840s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Polk, James K. "Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1845, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

We ought to cherish a sacred regard for the independence of all nations, and never attempt to interfere in the domestic concerns of any unless this shall be imperatively required by the great law of self-preservation.

James Buchanan

Inaugural Address of James Buchanan

Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon
Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website

More information about this quote

Topic

Non-intervention Isolationism American foreign policy

Speaker

James Buchanan

Source

Inaugural Address of James Buchanan Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1857 1850s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Buchanan, James. "Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1857, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

And I hope we have once again reminded people that man is not free unless government is limited. There's a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: As government expands, liberty contracts.

Ronald Reagan

1989 Farewell Address

Read this speech at reaganfoundation.org

More information about this quote

Topic

Limited government Freedom Political theory Government Politics

Speaker

Ronald Reagan

Source

1989 Farewell Address Presidential Farewell Address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1989 1980s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Reagan, Ronald. "Farewell Address to the Nation." 11 Jan. 1989, Oval Office, The White House, Washington, DC, USA.

The perpetuity of our institutions depends upon ourselves...if we maintain the principles on which they were established they are destined to confer their benefits on countless generations yet to come.

Martin Van Buren

Inaugural Address of Martin van Buren

Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon
Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website

More information about this quote

Topic

American government Holding to one's principles Citizen and state

Speaker

Martin Van Buren

Source

Inaugural Address of Martin van Buren Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1837 1830s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Van Buren, Martin. "Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1837, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

And how stands the city on this winter night? More prosperous, more secure, and happier than it was 8 years ago. But more than that: After 200 years, two centuries, she still stands strong and true on the granite ridge, and her glow has held steady no matter what storm. And she's still a beacon, still a magnet for all who must have freedom, for all the pilgrims from all the lost places who are hurtling through the darkness, toward home.

Ronald Reagan

1989 Farewell Address

Read this speech at reaganfoundation.org

More information about this quote

Topic

City on a hill American exceptionalism American politics America

Speaker

Ronald Reagan

Source

1989 Farewell Address Presidential Farewell Address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1989 1980s 20th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Reagan, Ronald. "Farewell Address to the Nation." 11 Jan. 1989, Oval Office, The White House, Washington, DC, USA.

This country believes in prosperity. It is absurd to suppose that it is envious of those who are already prosperous. The wise and correct course to follow in taxation and all other economic legislation is not to destroy those who have already secured success but to create conditions under which every one will have a better chance to be successful.

Calvin Coolidge

Inaugural Address of Calvin Coolidge

Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon
Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website

More information about this quote

Topic

Economic opportunity Class warfare

Speaker

Calvin Coolidge

Source

Inaugural Address of Calvin Coolidge Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1925 1920s 20th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Coolidge, Calvin. "Second Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1925, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

The thirteenth amendment secured them freedom; the fourteenth amendment due process of law, protection of property, and the pursuit of happiness; and the fifteenth amendment attempted to secure the negro against any deprivation of the privilege to vote because he was a negro. The thirteenth and fourteenth amendments have been generally enforced and have secured the objects for which they are intended. While the fifteenth amendment has not been generally observed in the past, it ought to be observed.

William Howard Taft

Inaugural Address of William Howard Taft

Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon
Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website

More information about this quote

Topic

Bill of Rights Civil rights American politics

Speaker

William Howard Taft

Source

Inaugural Address of William Howard Taft Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1909 1900s 20th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Taft, William Howard. "Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1909, Senate Chamber, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Superficial observers seem to find no destiny for our abounding increase in population, in wealth and power except that of imperialism. They fail to see that the American people are engrossed in the building for themselves of a new economic system, a new social system, a new political system all of which are characterized by aspirations of freedom of opportunity and thereby are the negation of imperialism.

Herbert Hoover

Inaugural Address of Herbert Hoover

Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon
Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website

More information about this quote

Topic

American imperialism American experiment America and the world

Speaker

Herbert Hoover

Source

Inaugural Address of Herbert Hoover Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1929 1920s 20th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Hoover, Herbert. "Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1929, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Our Congress represents the people and the States. In all legislative affairs it is the natural collaborator with the President. In spite of all the criticism which often falls to its lot, I do not hesitate to say that there is no more independent and effective legislative body in the world. It is, and should be, jealous of its prerogative. I welcome its cooperation, and expect to share with it not only the responsibility, but the credit, for our common effort to secure beneficial legislation.

Calvin Coolidge

Inaugural Address of Calvin Coolidge

Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon
Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website

More information about this quote

Topic

US Congress

Speaker

Calvin Coolidge

Source

Inaugural Address of Calvin Coolidge Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1925 1920s 20th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Coolidge, Calvin. "Second Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1925, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Surely there must have been God's intent in the making of this new-world Republic. Ours is an organic law which had but one ambiguity, and we saw that effaced in a baptism of sacrifice and blood, with union maintained, the Nation supreme, and its concord inspiring.

Warren G. Harding

Inaugural Address of Warren G. Harding

Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon Buy a book containing this speech at Amazon
Read this speech at UVA's Miller Center website

More information about this quote

Topic

God and America

Speaker

Warren G. Harding

Source

Inaugural Address of Warren G. Harding Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1921 1920s 20th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Harding, William G. "Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1921, East Portico, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.