Tag Archives: First Principles

First Principles: All the World Would Gain By Setting Commerce At Perfect Liberty

“I think all the world would gain by setting commerce at perfect liberty.”  – Thomas Jefferson (1785)      

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First Principles: Religion Is A Matter Which Lies Solely Between Man and His God

“Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not … Continue reading →

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First Principles: Government Is Instituted For the Protection, Safety, Prosperity and Happiness of the People, Not One Man, Family Or Class of Men

“Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, the people alone have an … Continue reading →

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First Principles: Laws, To Be Just, Must Give A Reciprocation of Right. Without This, They Are Mere Arbitrary Rules of Conduct

“We lay it down as a fundamental, that laws, to be just, must give a reciprocation of right; that, without this, they are mere arbitrary rules of conduct, founded in force, and not in conscience.” – Thomas Jefferson (1782)   … Continue reading →

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First Principles: Securing Peace Is One of the Most Powerful Instruments Is Our Rising Prosperity

“If we desire to 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 for … Continue reading →

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First Principles: Mankind Has A Natural Right To Property, Character, Liberty and To Safety

“I am first to show, that a man has a natural right to his property, to his character, to liberty, and to safety.” – James Wilson, in Of the Natural Rights of Individuals    

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First Principles: An Equal Dispensation of Protection, Rights, Privileges and Advantages Is What Every Part Is Entitled To and Ought To Enjoy

“An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy.” – Benjamin Franklin, in Emblematical Representations (1774)      

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First Principles: They Define A Republic To Be A Government of Laws and Not of Men

“They define a republic to be a government of laws, and not of men.” – John Adams, in Novanglus No. 7 (March 6, 1775) Consider this a hugely needed public service announcement.  We should never allow America to become a … Continue reading →

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First Principles: We Have No Government Armed With Power Capable of Contending With Human Passions Unbridled By Morality and Religion

“We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution … Continue reading →

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First Principles: The Prosperity of Commerce Is Now Perceived and Acknowledged By All Enlightened Statemen As the Most Productive Source of National Wealth

“The prosperity of commerce is now perceived and acknowledged by all enlightened statesmen to be the most useful as well as the most productive source of national wealth, and has accordingly become a primary object of its political cares.” – … Continue reading →

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