Tag Archives: First Principles

First Principles: It Is By Rendering Justice To Other Nations That We Can Expect It From Them

“It is by rendering justice to other nations that we can expect it from them.” – James Monroe (1823) Annual Message to Congress      

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First Principles: The Ordaining of Laws In Favor of One Part of the Nation, To the Prejudice and Oppression of Another, Is Certainly the Most Erroneous Policy

“History affords us many instances of the ruin of states, by the prosecution of measures ill suited to the temper and genius of their people. The ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation, to the prejudice … Continue reading

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First Principles: However Weak Our Country May Come To Be, I Hope We Never Sacrifice Our Liberties

“However weak our country may be, I hope we shall never sacrifice our liberties.” – Alexander Hamilton    

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First Principles: A Nation, Despicable By Its Weakness, Forfeits Even the Privilege of Being Neutral

“The rights of neutrality will only be respected when they are defended by an adequate power.   A nation, despicable by its weakness, forfeits even the privilege of being neutral.” – Alexander Hamilton,  Federalist No. 11    

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First Principles: Difficulties Are Meant To Rouse, Not Discourage

“Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage.” – William Ellery    

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First Principles: All Power Is Vested In and…Derived From the People

“That all power is vested in, and consequently derived from, the people; that magistrates are their trustees and servants, and at all times amendable to them.” – George Mason, in the Virigina Bill of Rights      

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First Principles: The Ingredients Which Constitute Energy In the Executive Are, Unity; Duration; Its Support; and Competent Powers

“The ingredients which constitute energy in the Executive are, first, unity; secondly, duration; thirdly, an adequate provision for its support; fourthly, competent powers. … The ingredients which constitute safety in the republican sense are, first, a due dependence on the … Continue reading

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First Principles: My First Wish Is For America To Be Free

“My first wish is for America to be free.” – John Penn, Congressional Delegate Having been unschooled as a child, later in life John Penn availed himself of the advantages procured from a well endowed library taking this advantage to … Continue reading

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First Principles: The Battle Is Not To the Strong Alone; It Is To the Vigilant, the Active, the Brave

“We are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of Nature has placed in our power… The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the … Continue reading

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First Principles: A Certain Enthusiasm In Liberty Makes Human Nature Rise Above Itself In Acts of Bravery and Heroism

“There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.” – Alexander Hamilton      

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