They were crimes, not against forms, but against those eternal laws of justice which are our rule and our birthright.

His offences are, not in formal, technical language, but in reality, in substance and effect, _high_ crimes and high misdemeanors.
So far as to the crimes.

As to the criminal, we have chosen him on the same principle on which we selected the crimes.

We have not chosen to bring before you a poor, puny, trembling delinquent, misled, perhaps, by those who ought to have taught him better, but who have afterwards oppressed him by their power, as they had first corrupted him by their example.

Instances there have been many, wherein the punishment of minor offences, in inferior persons, has been made the means of screening crimes of an high order, and in men of high description.