Tag Archives: Commentaries on the Constitution

First Principles: Without Justice Being Freely, Fully, and Impartially Administered, Neither Our Persons, Nor Our Rights, Nor Our Property, Can be Protected

“Without justice being freely, fully, and impartially administered, neither our persons, nor our rights, nor our property, can be protected. And if these, or either of them, are regulated by no certain laws, and are subject to no certain principles, … Continue reading

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First Principles: Let the American Youth Never Forget, That They Possess A Noble Inheritance, Bought By the Toils, and Sufferings, and the Blood of Their Ancestors

“Let the American youth never forget, that they possess a noble inheritance, bought by the toils, and sufferings, and blood of their ancestors; and capacity, if wisely improved, and faithfully guarded, of transmitting to their latest posterity all the substantial … Continue reading

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First Principles: Republics Are Created By the Virtue, Public Spirit, and Intelligence of the Citizens

“Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, … Continue reading

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First Principles: The Constitution of the United States Is To Receive A Reasonable Interpretation of Its Language, and Its Powers

“The constitution of the United States is to receive a reasonable interpretation of its language, and its powers, keeping in view the objects and purposes, for which those powers were conferred. By a reasonable interpretation, we mean, that in case … Continue reading

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First Principles: Republics Are Created By the Virtue, Public Spirit, and Intelligence of the Citizens. They Fall, When the Wise Are Banished From the Public Councils

“Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, … Continue reading

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First Principles: The Constitution Is Not Subject To… Fluctuations. It Is To Have A Fixed, Uniform, Permanent Construction.

“Temporary delusions, prejudices, excitements, and objects have irresistible influence in mere questions of policy. And the policy of one age may ill suit the wishes or the policy of another. The constitution is not subject to such fluctuations. It is … Continue reading

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First Principles: It Is For the President Alone To Decide To Act Or Not Act Consistent Within the Bounds of the Constitution

“If, for instance, the president is required to do any act, he is not only authorized, but required, to decide for himself, whether, consistently with his constitutional duties, he can do the act.” – Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution, … Continue reading

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First Principles: The Noble Inheritance of America Should Be Taught, Guarded and Only Wisely Improved On

“Let the American youth never forget, that they possess a noble inheritance, bought by the toils, and sufferings, and blood of their ancestors; and capacity, if wisely improved, and faithfully guarded, of transmitting to their latest posterity all the substantial … Continue reading

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First Principles: There Is A Danger In Judges Yielding To the Popular Passions of The Day

“The danger is not, that the judges will be too firm in resisting public opinion, and in defense of private rights or public liberties; but, that they will be ready to yield themselves to the passions, and politics, and prejudices … Continue reading

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First Principles: Republics Fail When The Profligates Are Rewarded

“Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, … Continue reading

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