Andrew Jackson

One man with courage makes a majority.
– Andrew Jackson

The wisdom of man never yet contrived a system of taxation that would operate with perfect
equality.
– Andrew Jackson

Gentlemen! I too have been a close observer of the doings of the Bank of the United States.
I have had men watching you for a long time, and am convinced that you have used the
funds of the bank to speculate in the breadstuffs of the country. When you won, you divided
the profits amongst you, and when you lost, you charged it to the bank. You tell me that if I
take the deposits from the bank and annul its charter I shall ruin ten thousand families. That
may be true, gentlemen, but that is your sin! Should I let you go on, you will ruin fifty
thousand families, and that would be my sin! You are a den of vipers and thieves. I have
determined to rout you out, and by the Eternal, I will rout you out!
– Andrew Jackson

There are no necessary evils in government. Its evil exist only in its abuse.
– Andrew Jackson

Any man worth his salt will stick up for what he believes right, but it takes a slightly better
man to acknowledge instantly and without reservation that he is in error.
– Andrew Jackson

In a free government the demand for moral qualities should be made superior to that of
talents.
– Andrew Jackson

I was born for the storm, and a calm does not suit me.
– Andrew Jackson

The individual who refuses to defend his rights when called by his government, deserves to
be a slave, and must be punished as an enemy of his country and friend to her foe.
– Andrew Jackson

If Congress has the right under the Constitution to issue paper money, it was given them to
use themselves, not to be delegated to individuals or corporations.
– Andrew Jackson

The duty of government is to leave commerce to its own capital and credit as well as all
other branches of business, protecting all in their legal pursuits granting exclusive privileges
to none.
– Andrew Jackson

Never take counsel of your fears.
– Andrew Jackson

All the rights secured to the citizens under the Constitution are worth nothing, and a mere
bubble, except guaranteed to them by an independent and virtuous Judiciary.
– Andrew Jackson

Money is power, and in that government which pays all the public officers of the states will
all political power be substantially concentrated.
– Andrew Jackson

To the victors belong the spoils.
– Andrew Jackson

War is a blessing compared with national degradation.
– Andrew Jackson

If the Union is once severed, the line of separation will grow wider and wider, and the
controversies which are now debated and settled in the halls of legislation will then be tried in
fields of battle and determined by the sword.
– Andrew Jackson

Americans are not a perfect people, but we are called to a perfect mission.
– Andrew Jackson

As long as our government is administered for the good of the people, and is regulated by
their will; as long as it secures to us the rights of persons and of property, liberty of
conscience, and of the press, it will be worth defending.
– Andrew Jackson

I have always been afraid of banks.
– Andrew Jackson

It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to
their own selfish purposes.
– Andrew Jackson

Heaven will be no heaven to me if I do not meet my wife there.
– Andrew Jackson

Our government is founded upon the intelligence of the people. I for one do not despair of
the republic. I have great confidence in the virtue of the great majority of the people, and I
cannot fear the result.
– Andrew Jackson

It is maintained by some that the bank is a means of executing the constitutional power “to
coin money and regulate the value thereof.” Congress have established a mint to coin money
and passed laws to regulate the value thereof. The money so coined, with its value so
regulated, and such foreign coins as Congress may adopt are the only currency known to the
Constitution. But if they have other power to regulate the currency, it was conferred to be
exercised by themselves, and not to be transferred to a corporation. If the bank be
established for that purpose, with a charter unalterable without its consent, Congress have
parted with their power for a term of years, during which the Constitution is a dead letter. It
is neither necessary nor proper to transfer its legislative power to such a bank, and therefore
unconstitutional.
– Andrew Jackson

Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.
– Andrew Jackson

Peace, above all things, is to be desired, but blood must sometimes be spilled to obtain it on
equable and lasting terms.
– Andrew Jackson

The Constitution and the laws are supreme and the Union indissoluble.
– Andrew Jackson

I’ve got big shoes to fill. This is my chance to do something. I have to seize the moment.
– Andrew Jackson

It is a damn poor mind indeed which can’t think of at least two ways to spell any word.
– Andrew Jackson

Every good citizen makes his country’s honor his own, and cherishes it not only as precious
but as sacred. He is willing to risk his life in its defense and its conscious that he gains
protection while he gives it.
– Andrew Jackson

The brave man inattentive to his duty, is worth little more to his country than the coward
who deserts in the hour of danger.
– Andrew Jackson

The moment we engage in confederations, or alliances with any nation we may from that time
date the downfall of our republic.
– Andrew Jackson

It will be my sincere and constant desire to observe toward the Indian tribes within our limits
a just and liberal policy, and to give that humane and considerate attention to their rights
and their wants which is consistent with the habits of our Government and the feelings of our
people.
– Andrew Jackson

Unless you become more watchful in your states and check the spirit of monopoly and thirst
for exclusive privileges you will in the end find that he control over your dearest interests has
passed into the hands of these corporations.
– Andrew Jackson

The Bible is the rock on which this Republic rests.
– Andrew Jackson

I weep for the liberty of my country when I see at this early day of its successful experiment
that corruption has been imputed to many members of the House of Representatives, and the
rights of the people have been bartered for promises of office.
– Andrew Jackson

The bank, Mr. Van Buren, is trying to kill me, but I will kill it.
– Andrew Jackson, referring to the Second Bank of the United States

But you must remember, my fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price
of liberty, and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing.
– Andrew Jackson