Tag Archives: First Principles

First Principles: There Is Not A Single Instance In History In Which Civil Liberty Was Lost, and Religious Liberty Preserved Entire

“There is not a single instance in history in which civil liberty was lost, and religious liberty preserved entire. If therefore we yield up our temporal property, we at the same time deliver the conscience into bondage.” – John Witherspoon, … Continue reading

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First Principles: Guard With Jealous Attention the Public Liberty

“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 (1788)

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First Principles: Liberty Must At All Hazards Be Supported. We Have A Right To It, Derived From Our Maker

“Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their … Continue reading

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First Principles: When We Assumed the Soldier, We Did Not Lay Aside the Citizen

“When we assumed the soldier, we did not lay aside the citizen; and we shall most sincerely rejoice with you in the happy hour when the establishment of American Liberty, upon the most firm and solid foundations shall enable us … Continue reading

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First Principles: My Help Comes From the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth

“My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” – Psalms 121:2

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First Principles: If We Desire To Avoid Insult, We Must Be Able To Repel It

“There is a rank due to the United States, among nations, which will be withheld, if not absolutely lost, by the reputation of weakness. If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire … Continue reading

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First Principles: If We Desire to Secure Peace, One of the Most Powerful Instruments of Our Rising Prosperity, It Must Be Known, That We Are At All Times Ready For War

“If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready … Continue reading

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First Principles: For My Part, Whatever Anguish of Spirit It Might Cost, I Am Willing To Know the Whole of Truth; To Know the Worst, and To Provide for It

“It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth — and listen to the song of that syren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this … Continue reading

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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: The Great Principles of Right and Wrong Are Legible To Every Reader; To Pursue Them Requires Not the Aid of Many Counselors

“The great principles of right and wrong are legible to every reader; to pursue them requires not the aid of many counselors.” – Thomas Jefferson (1775)

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