Category Archives: First Principles

First Principles: It Is Necessary For Every American, With Becoming Energy To Endeavor To Stop the Dissemination of Principles Evidently Destructive of the Cause For Which They Have Bled

“It is necessary for every American, with becoming energy to endeavor to stop the dissemination of principles evidently destructive of the cause for which they have bled. It must be the combined virtue of the rulers and of the people … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Liberty Must At All Hazards Be Supported

“Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: An Unlimited Power To Tax Involves, Necessarily, A Power To Destroy

“An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, a power to destroy; because there is a limit beyond which no institution and no property can bear taxation.” – John Marshall (1819)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Never Suppose That In Any Possible Situation, Or Under Any Circumstances, It Is Best For You To Do A Dishonorable Thing, However Slightly

“Give up money, give up fame, give up science, give the earth itself and all it contains rather than do an immoral act. And never suppose that in any possible situation, or under any circumstances, it is best for you … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Where An Excess of Power Prevails, Property of No Sort Is Duly Respected. No Man Is Safe In His Opinions,…Or His Possessions

“Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man is safe in his opinions, his person, his faculties, or his possessions.” – James Madison (1792)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: If Congress Can Do Whatever In Their Discretion Can Be Done By Money, and Will Promote the General Welfare, the Government Is No Longer A Limited One

“If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the General Welfare, the Government is no longer a limited one, possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one, subject to particular exceptions.” – James … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: We Are Either A United People, Or We Are Not

“We are either a United people, or we are not. If the former, let us, in all matters of general concern act as a nation, which have national objects to promote, and a national character to support. If we are … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Care of Human Life and Happiness, and Not Their Destruction, Is the First and Only Legitimate Object of Good Government

“The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government.” – Thomas Jefferson

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Wherever the Real Power In A Government Lies, There Is the Danger of Oppression

“Wherever the real power in a Government lies, there is the danger of oppression.” – James Madison (1788)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Instruments By Which the Government Must Act Are Either the Authority of the Laws or Force. If the First Is Destroyed, the Last Must Be Substituted

“The instruments by which [the government] must act are either the AUTHORITY of the laws or FORCE. If the first be destroyed, the last must be substituted; and where this becomes the ordinary instrument of government there is an end … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment