Franklin Pierce, (1804-1869) U.S. President Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page [1-3] of 3 Franklin Pierce quotesFranklin Pierce QuotesFranklin Pierce The constitutionality and propriety of the Federal Government assuming to enter into a novel and vast field of legislation, namely, that of providing for the care and support of all those … who by any form of calamity become fit objects of public philanthropy. ... I cannot find any authority in the Constitution for making the Federal Government the great almoner of public charity throughout the United States. To do so would, in my judgment, be contrary to the letter and spirit of the Constitution and subversive of the whole theory upon which the Union of these States is founded.~ Franklin Pierce The dangers of a concentration of all power in the general government of a confederacy so vast as ours are too obvious to be disregarded.~ Franklin Pierce I cannot find any authority in the Constitution for public charity, ... [it] would be contrary to the letter and the spirit of the Constitution and subversive to the whole theory upon which the Union of these States is founded.~ Franklin Pierce Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print