Category Archives: First Principles

First Principles: The Greatest Good We Can Do Our Country Is Heal Division and Be One People

Posted on October 9, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“The greatest good we can do our country is to heal its party divisions and make them one people.” – Thomas Jefferson (1801)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Country, First Principles, Greatest Good, Heal, One People, Party Divisions, Thomas Jefferson | Leave a comment

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

Posted on October 8, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“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 Act, Division, Farce, First Principles, General Concern, George Washington, Goals, Nation, National Character, Pretense, United People | Leave a comment

First Principles: Be Honorable By Being Necessary For the Public Good

Posted on October 7, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“I am not influenced by the expectation of promotion or pecuniary reward. I wish to be useful, and every kind of service necessary for the public good, become honorable by being necessary.” – Nathan Hale (1776)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Expectation, Financial Reward, First Principles, Honor, Influence, Nathan Hale, Necessary, Promotion, Public Good, Service, Useful | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Good Moral Character Needed To Lead A Republic Requires Being Both Learned and Virtuous

Posted on October 6, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“A good moral character is the first essential in a man, and that the habits contracted at your age are generally indelible, and your conduct here may stamp your character through life. It is therefore highly important that you should … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Conduct, Endeavor, First Essential, First Prinicples, George Washington, Good Moral Character, Habits, Learned, Reputation, Stamp, Virtuous | Leave a comment

First Principles: Public Opinion Is the Real Sovereign In Free Government

Posted on October 5, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“Public opinion sets bounds to every government, and is the real sovereign in every free one.” —James Madison (1791)

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First Principles: The Aim of Every Constitution Should Be To Obtain Governance By the Wise and Virtuous

Posted on October 4, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be, first to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to discern, and most virtue to pursue, the common good of the society.” – James Madison (1788) … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Aim, Common Good, Constitution, Discern, First Principles, Governance, James Madison, Pursuit, Society, Virtue, Wisdom | Leave a comment

First Principles: Public Liberty Is the Most Precious Jewel For Mankind

Posted on October 3, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“Is the relinquishment of the trial by jury and the liberty of the press necessary for your liberty? Will the abandonment of your most sacred rights tend to the security of your liberty? Liberty, the greatest of all earthly blessings … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged First Principles, Guard, Jewel, Liberty, Liberty of the Press, Patrick Henry, Public Liberty, Sacred Rights, Security, Trial By Jury, Vigilance | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Duty of Judges Is to Interpret and Apply Law and Not To Create Law

Posted on October 2, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“Every prudent and cautious judge … will remember, that his duty and his business is, not to make the law, but to interpret and apply it.” – James Wilson (1742-1798)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Apply, Caution, Duty, First Principles, Interpret, James Wilson, Judge, Law, Legislate, Prudence | Leave a comment

First Principles: Arbitrary Power Rises From Liberty Ruined By Licentiousness

Posted on October 1, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.” – George Washington (1753)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Arbitrary, Established, First Principles, George Washington, Liberty, Licentiousness, Power, Ruins | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Constitution Is the Standard For Construction of Law

Posted on September 30, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“The Constitution ought to be the standard of construction for the laws, and that wherever there is an evident opposition, the laws ought to give place to the Constitution.” – Alexander Hamilton (1788)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Alexander Hamilton, Constitution, Construction, First Principles, Law, Standard, Supramacy | Leave a comment