Tag Archives: First Principles

First Principles: A Constitution Founded On These Principles…Makes the Common People Brave and Enterprising

“A constitution founded on these principles introduces knowledge among the people, and inspires them with a conscious dignity becoming freemen; a general emulation takes place, which causes good humor, sociability, good manners, and good morals to be general. That elevation … Continue reading →

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First Principles: A Fondness For Power Is Implanted, In Most Men, and It Is Natural To Abuse It When Acquired

“A fondness for power is implanted, in most men, and it is natural to abuse it, when acquired.” – Alexander Hamilton (1775)      

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First Principles: Without Liberty, Law Loses Its Nature…and Becomes Oppression. Without Law, Liberty…Becomes Licentiousness

“Without liberty, law loses its nature and its name, and becomes oppression. Without law, liberty also loses its nature and its name, and becomes licentiousness.” – James Wilson (1790) An organization worth knowing: http://jameswilsoninstitute.org/    

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First Principles: All Sober Inquirers After Truth… Pagan and Christian, Have Declared That the Happiness of Man, As Well As His Dignity, Consists In Virtue

“We ought to consider what is the end of government before we determine which is the best form. Upon this point all speculative politicians will agree that the happiness of society is the end of government, as all divines and … Continue reading →

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First Principles: We Must Meet Our Duty and Convince the World That We are Just Friends and Brave Enemies

“I am ever unwilling that [peace] should be disturbed as long as the rights and interests of the nations can be preserved. But whensoever hostile aggressions require a resort to war, we must meet our duty and convince the world … Continue reading →

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First Principles: We Have A Set of Maxims of the Same Spirit, Which Must Be Beloved By Every Friend of Liberty, To Virtue, to Mankind. Our Bill of Rights Contains Those Admirable Maxims

“There are certain maxims by which every wise and enlightened people will regulate their conduct. There are certain political maxims, which no free people out ever to abandon. Maxims of which the observance is essential to the security of happiness. … Continue reading →

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First Principles: The Strongest Reason For the People To Retain the Right To Keep and Bear Arms Is, As A Last Resort, To Protect Themselves Against Tyranny In Government

“The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.“ – Thomas Jefferson    

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First Principles: The Most Sacred of Duties of A Government Is To Do Equal and Impartial Justice To All Citizens

“The most sacred of the duties of a government [is] to do equal and impartial justice to all citizens.” – Thomas Jefferson (1816)    

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First Principles: The Greatest Good We Can Do Our Country Is To Heal Its Party Divisions and Make Them One People

“The greatest good we can do our country is to heal its party divisions and make them one people.” – Thomas Jefferson (1801)    

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First Principles: A Change in Religious Sentiments, Duties and Obligations of the People Was the Real American Revolution

“But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, … Continue reading →

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