Tag Archives: Alexander Hamilton

First Principles: It Seems To Have To Have Been Reserved To the People of This Country, By their Conduct and Example, To Decide the Important Questions

“It seems to have been reserved to the people of this country, by their conduct and example, to decide the important questions, whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or … Continue reading

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First Principles: This Balance Between the National and State Governments Ought To Be Dwelt On With Peculiar Attention, As It Is Of the Utmost Importance

“This balance between the National and State governments ought to be dwelt on with peculiar attention, as it is of the utmost importance. It forms a double security to the people. If one encroaches on their rights they will find … Continue reading

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First Principles: The Sacred Rights of Mankind Are Not To Be Rummage For, Among Old Parchments, Or Musty Records…They Are Written…By the Hand of the Divinity

“The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for, among old parchments, or musty records. They are written, as with a sun beam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and … Continue reading

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First Principles: Constitutions of Civil Government Are Not Framed Upon A Calculation of Existing Exigencies, But Upon A Combination of These With the Probable Exigencies of Ages

“Constitutions of civil government are not to be framed upon a calculation of existing exigencies, but upon a combination of these with the probable exigencies of ages, according to the natural and tried course of human affairs.” – Alexander Hamilton … Continue reading

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First Principles: No Legislated Act, Therefore, Contrary to the Constitution, Can Be Valid

“[E]very act of a delegated authority, contrary to the tenor of the commission under which it is exercised, is void. No legislative act, therefore, contrary to the Constitution, can be valid. To deny this, would be to affirm, that the … Continue reading

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First Principles: Foreign Influence Is Truly the Grecian Horse To A Republic. We Cannot Be Too Careful To Exclude Its Influence

“Foreign influence is truly the Grecian horse to a republic. We cannot be too careful to exclude its influence.” – Alexander Hamilton (1793)

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First Principles: The Natural Cure For An Ill-Administration, In A Popular or Representative Constitution, Is A Change of Men

“The natural cure for an ill-administration, in a popular or representative constitution, is a change of men.” – Alexander Hamilton (1787)

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First Principles: A Feeble Execution Is…A Bad Execution; and A Government Ill Executed…Must Be…A Bad Government

“A feeble executive implies a feeble execution of the government. A feeble execution is but another phrase for a bad execution; and a government ill executed, whatever may be its theory, must be, in practice, a bad government.” – Alexander … Continue reading

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First Principles: The Great Leading Objects of the Federal Government…Are To Maintain Domestic Peace, and Provide For the Common Defense

“The great leading objects of the federal government … are to maintain domestic peace, and provide for the common defense.” – Alexander Hamilton (1788)

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First Principles: Measures Which Serve To Abridge the Free Competition of Foreign Articles, Have A Tendency To Occasion An Enhancement of Prices

“Measures which serve to abridge the free competition of foreign articles, have a tendency to occasion an enhancement of prices.” – Alexander Hamilton (1791)

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