Category Archives: First Principles

First Principles: Guard Public Liberty Attentively

Posted on November 7, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.” –Patrick Henry, in a speech at the Virginia … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Bill of Rights, Constitution, First Principles, Force, Government, Patrick Henry, Public Liberty, Vigilance | Leave a comment

First Principles: Mankind Has A Propensity Toward Despotism

Posted on November 6, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“How prone all human institutions have been to decay; how subject the best-formed and most wisely organized governments have been to lose their check and totally dissolve; how difficult it has been for mankind, in all ages and countries, to … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Constitution, Decay, Despotism, Dissolve, History, James Monroe, Perservation, Virginia Ratifying Convention | Leave a comment

First Principles: Love Liberty Enough To Guard and Defend It

Posted on November 5, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.” – Daniel Webster, in Speech (3 June 1834); reported in Edward Everett, ed., The Works of Daniel Webster (1851), volume iv, page 47 … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Daniel Webster, Defend, Faithfulness, First Principles, God, Guard, History, Inalienable, Liberty, Love | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Accumulation of Power Into Few Hands Leads To Tyranny

Posted on November 4, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“The accumulation of all powers … 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 (1788) in Federalist Paper, No. 47 This … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Accumulation, Corruption, First Principles, Government, James Madison, Powers, The Federalist Papers, Tyranny | Leave a comment

First Principles: Promote the Well Being of Your Community

Posted on November 3, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“I have always, from my earliest youth, rejoiced in the felicity of my fellow-men; and have ever considered it as the indispensable able duty of every member of society to promote, as far as in him lies, the prosperity of … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Community, Duty, Felecity, First Principles, Happiness, John Hancock, Mankind, Nation, Overcome, Prosperity, Rejoice, Society, Thrive, Well Being | Leave a comment

First Principles: An Energetic Executive Branch Is Good for the Country

Posted on November 2, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“Energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government. It is essential to the protection of the community against foreign attacks; it is not less essential to the steady administration of the laws; to the … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Administration, Alexander Hamilton, Executive Branch, Federalist Papers, First Principles, Government, Protection, Security | Leave a comment

First Principles – A Republic Must Guard Against Undue Foreign Influence

Posted on November 1, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence, the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake; since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of Republican Government.” – George Washington … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Corruption, First Principles, Foreign Influence, Free People, George Washington, Government, Republic, Vigilance | Leave a comment

First Principles: We Should Endeavor To Be Honest In All We Do

Posted on October 31, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“In our private pursuits it is a great advantage that every honest employment is deemed honorable.” —Thomas Jefferson (1795) It’s somewhat fitting that the witch hunt has thus far calumniated not in any finding of collusion but past crimes committed … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Endeavors, First Principles, Honesty, Integrity, Private Pursuits, Thomas Jefferson, Wisdom | 4 Comments

First Principles: Trust No Living Man With the Power to Endanger Liberty

Posted on October 30, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.” – John Adams, in an Oration at Braintree (Spring, 1772) … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Braintree, Danger, First Principles, Government, John Adams, Liberty, Men, Trust | Leave a comment

First Principles: Dependence Begets Subservience

Posted on October 29, 2017 by alohapromisesforever

“Dependence begets subservience and venality, suffocates the germ of virtue, and prepares fit tools for the designs of ambition.” – Thomas Jefferson (1781) The entitlement programs of America have come to be taken for granted. And now, as we watch … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Ambition, Dependence, First Principles, Subservience, Thomas Jefferson, Tools, Venality, Virtue | Leave a comment