For there is something dreadful in the thought, that nearly half the citizens of a state are perjured men.

There is no objection to an oath, where a man has no interest in forswearing himself; as, for example, when a judge is about to give his decision, or in voting at an election, or in the judgment of games and contests.

But where there would be a premium on perjury, oaths and imprecations should be prohibited as irrelevant, like appeals to feeling.

Let the principles of justice be learned and taught without words of evil omen.

The oaths of a stranger against a stranger may be allowed, because strangers are not permitted to become permanent residents in our state.
Trials in private causes are to be decided in the same manner as lesser offences against the state.