He held a place in the public life of the world shared by very few indeed.
He was an idealist.

He subjected every measure to the inexorable test of the moral law.

Yet, at the same time, he was a powerful political leader, and in a time when the fate of the Republic was decided accomplished vast practical results.

Where duty seemed to him to utter its high commands he could see no obstacle in hostile majorities, and no restraint in the limitations of a written Constitution.

It is right, therefore Constitutional, was the logical formula with which he dealt with every question of State.