The value of liberty was thus enhanced in our estimation by the difficulty of its attainment, and the worth of characters appreciated by the trial of adversity. George Washington, letter to the people of South Carolina, Circa 1790.
To form a new Government, requires infinite care, and unbounded attention; for if the foundation is badly laid the superstructure must be bad. George Washington, letter to John Augustine Washington, May 31, 1776.
The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of government, are justly considered deeply, perhaps as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people. George Washington, First Inaugural Address, April 30, 1789.
Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism. George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796.
No country upon earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings than United America. Wondrously strange, then, and much to be regretted indeed would it be, were we to neglect the means and to depart from the road which Providence has pointed us to so plainly; I cannot believe it will ever come to pass. George Washington, letter to Benjamin Lincoln, June 29, 1788.
Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness. George Washington, Circular to the States, May 9, 1753.
But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever. John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams, July 17, 1775.
Remember democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide. John Adams, letter to John Taylor, April 15, 1814
As Benjamin Franklin left the Pennsylvania State House after the final meeting of the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, he was approached by the wife of the mayor of Philadelphia. She was curious as to what new government would be. Franklin replied, “A republic, madam. If you can keep it.”
In a democracy, the individual enjoys not only the ultimate power but carries the ultimate responsibility. Norman Cousins.
Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. Benjamin Franklin, letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy, November 13, 1789.
They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759.
We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately. Benjamin Franklin (attributed), at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.
[I]t is a common observation here that our cause is the cause of all mankind, and that we are fighting for their liberty in defending our own. Benjamin Franklin, letter to Samuel Cooper, May 1, 1777.
If a nation expects to be ignorant — and free — in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be. Thomas Jefferson, letter to Colonel Charles Yancey, January 6, 1816.
It is the manners and spirit of a people which preserve a republic in vigor. A degeneracy in these is a canker which soon eats to the heart of its laws and constitution. Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia Query 19, 1781.
Love your neighbor as yourself and your country more than yourself. Thomas Jefferson.
On every unauthoritative exercise of power by the legislature must the people rise in rebellion or their silence be construed into a surrender of that power to them? If so, how many rebellions should we have had already? Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 12, 1782.
No political truth is certainly of greater intrinsic value, or is stamped with the authority of more enlightened patrons of liberty than that on which the objection is founded. The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny. James Madison, Federalist No. 48, February 1, 1788.
Wherever the real power in a Government lies, there is the danger of oppression. James Madison, letter to Thomas Jefferson, October 17, 1788.
[I]t is the reason alone, of the public that ought to control and regulate the government. James Madison, Federalist No. 49, February 5, 1788.
To form a new Government, requires infinite care, and unbounded attention; for if the foundation is badly laid the superstructure must be bad. George Washington, letter to John Augustine Washington, May 31, 1776.
The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of government, are justly considered deeply, perhaps as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people. George Washington, First Inaugural Address, April 30, 1789.
Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism. George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796.
No country upon earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings than United America. Wondrously strange, then, and much to be regretted indeed would it be, were we to neglect the means and to depart from the road which Providence has pointed us to so plainly; I cannot believe it will ever come to pass. George Washington, letter to Benjamin Lincoln, June 29, 1788.
Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness. George Washington, Circular to the States, May 9, 1753.
But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever. John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams, July 17, 1775.
Remember democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide. John Adams, letter to John Taylor, April 15, 1814
As Benjamin Franklin left the Pennsylvania State House after the final meeting of the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, he was approached by the wife of the mayor of Philadelphia. She was curious as to what new government would be. Franklin replied, “A republic, madam. If you can keep it.”
In a democracy, the individual enjoys not only the ultimate power but carries the ultimate responsibility. Norman Cousins.
Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. Benjamin Franklin, letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy, November 13, 1789.
They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759.
We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately. Benjamin Franklin (attributed), at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.
[I]t is a common observation here that our cause is the cause of all mankind, and that we are fighting for their liberty in defending our own. Benjamin Franklin, letter to Samuel Cooper, May 1, 1777.
If a nation expects to be ignorant — and free — in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be. Thomas Jefferson, letter to Colonel Charles Yancey, January 6, 1816.
It is the manners and spirit of a people which preserve a republic in vigor. A degeneracy in these is a canker which soon eats to the heart of its laws and constitution. Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia Query 19, 1781.
Love your neighbor as yourself and your country more than yourself. Thomas Jefferson.
On every unauthoritative exercise of power by the legislature must the people rise in rebellion or their silence be construed into a surrender of that power to them? If so, how many rebellions should we have had already? Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 12, 1782.
No political truth is certainly of greater intrinsic value, or is stamped with the authority of more enlightened patrons of liberty than that on which the objection is founded. The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny. James Madison, Federalist No. 48, February 1, 1788.
Wherever the real power in a Government lies, there is the danger of oppression. James Madison, letter to Thomas Jefferson, October 17, 1788.
[I]t is the reason alone, of the public that ought to control and regulate the government. James Madison, Federalist No. 49, February 5, 1788.
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