Andrew Jackson in vetoing the charter for the Second Bank of the United States

It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. Distinctions in society will always exist under every just government. Equality of talents, of education, or of wealth cannot be produced by human institutions. In the full enjoyment of the gifts of Heaven and the fruits of superior industry, economy, and virtue, every man is equally entitled to protection by law; but when the laws undertake to add to these natural and just advantages artificial distinctions, to grant titles, gratuities, and exclusive privileges, to make the rich richer and the potent more powerful, the humble members of society - the farmers, mechanics, and laborers - who have neither the time nor the means of securing life favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustice of their Government. There are no necessary evils in government. It's evils exist only in its abuses. If it would confine itself to equal protection, and, as Heaven does its reigns, shower its favor alike on the high and the low, the rich and the poor, it would be an unqualified blessing. In the act before me (the act chartering the Second Bank of the United States) there seems to be a wide and unnecessary departure from these just principles.

~ Andrew Jackson, as quoted in G. Edward Griffin, The Creature from Jekyll Island, page 350