Category Archives: First Principles

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)

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First Principles: It Contravenes Classical Liberalism To Transfer Political Opposition To the Person

Posted on September 29, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“It has been a source of great pain to me to have met with so many among [my] opponents who had not the liberality to distinguish between political and social opposition; who transferred at once to the person, the hatred … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Distinguish, First Principles, Hatred, Liberality, Opinions, Opposition, Pain, Personalize, Political Opposition, Social Opposition, Thomas Jefferson | Leave a comment

First Principles: It Is Wise To Be Indifferent To Those Who Deliberately Choose To Think Badly of You

Posted on September 28, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“With those who wish to think amiss of me, I have learned to be perfectly indifferent; but where I know a mind to be ingenuous, and to need only truth to set it to rights, I cannot be passive.” – … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Active, Amiss, Deliberation, First Principles, Indifference, Passive, Reputation, Sway, Thomas Jefferson, Truth, Wish | Leave a comment

First Principles: When the Ambitious Come To Power, Only True Patriots Can Save Our Nation

Posted on September 27, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“If ever the time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.” – Samuel Adams, revolutionary (27 Sep 1722-1803) … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Aspiring, First Principles, Government, Patriots, Prevent, Ruin, Samuel Adams, Time, Vain | Leave a comment

First Principles: Religion and Virtue Are the Foundation of Free Government and Human Society

Posted on September 26, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“Religion and Virtue are the only Foundations, not only of Republicanism and of all free Government, but of Social Felicity under all Governments and in all the Combinations of human Society.” – John Adams (1811)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged First Principles, Foundation, Free Government, Government, John Adams, Religion, Republicanism, Social Felicity, Society, Virtue | Leave a comment

First Principles: Power’s Encroaching Nature Must Be Restrained

Posted on September 25, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“It will not be denied that power is of an encroaching nature and that it ought to be effectually restrained from passing the limits assigned to it.” – James Madison, in Federalist 48

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Encroach, First Priinciples, James Madison, Limits, Nature, Pass, Power, Proscription, Restraint, The Federalist Papers | Leave a comment