THE DANGER TO THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC:

         I apprehend no danger to our country from a foreign foe . . . Our destruction, shall it come at all, will be from another quarter. From the inattention of the people to the concerns of their government, from their carelessness and negligence, I must confess that I do apprehend some danger. 

         I fear that that they may place too implicit a confidence in their public servants, and fail properly to scrutinize their conduct; that in this way be made the dupes of designing men, and become the instruments of their own undoing. 

         Make them intelligent, and they will be vigilant; give them the means of detecting the wrong, and they will apply the remedy. 

 

Damiel Webster, June 1, 1837, Works 1:403

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NOTE: Webster would be appalled to learn how completely his fears for our nation have been realized - J. Ogles