Letter to the Whig Convention, 1855.

[[589]]

Its constitution the glittering and sounding generalities[589:1] of natural right which make up the Declaration of Independence.

Letter to the Maine Whig Committee, 1856.

Footnotes

[588:3] The Americans equally detest the pageantry of a king and the supercilious hypocrisy of a bishop.—Junius: Letter xxxv. Dec. 19, 1769.

It [Calvinism] established a religion without a prelate, a government without a king.—George Bancroft: History of the United States, vol. iii. chap. vi.

[589:1] Although Mr. Choate has usually been credited with the original utterance of the words "glittering generalities," the following quotation will show that he was anticipated therein by several years:—

We fear that the glittering generalities of the speaker have left an impression more delightful than permanent.—Franklin J. Dickman: Review of a Lecture by Rufus Choate, Providence Journal, Dec. 14, 1849.