Quincy, Josiah. First Inaugural Address.

Speaking at Faneuil Hall, he declares, “Let there exist, elsewhere, a greater population, a richer commerce, wider streets, more splendid avenues, statelier palaces. Be it the endeavor of this metropolis to educate better men, happier citizens, more enlightened statesmen; to elevate a people, thoroughly instructed in their social rights, deeply imbued with a sense of their moral duties; mild, flexible to every breadth of legitimate authority; unyielding as fate to unconstitutional impositions.” Also, “It is not enough, that the obstacle which impedes the citizen’s way, or the nuisance which offends his sense should be removed on complaint, or by complaint. The true criterion of an efficient city government is, that it should be removed before complaint and without complaint.”