"Our government is the potent, the omnipresent teacher. For good or ill it teaches the whole people by its example"

In this quote, Timothy McVeigh is highlighting the effective impact that the government has on its residents. He explains the federal government as a potent and universal teacher, suggesting that it has the capability to shape and mold the beliefs and actions of the people. Whether the government's actions are positive or negative, they serve as a lesson to the whole population. McVeigh suggests that the government's actions set an example for the people to follow, and this can have both helpful or detrimental impacts. Eventually, he is emphasizing the obligation of the government to lead by favorable example and the impact it can have on society as a whole.