Tag Archives: First Principles

First Principles: You Must First Enable the Government To Control the Governed; and In the Next Place, Oblige It To Control Itself

“In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.” – … Continue reading →

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First Principles: A Morsel of Genuine History Is A Thing So Rare As To Be Always Valuable

“A morsel of genuine history is a thing so rare as to be always valuable.” – Thomas Jefferson (1817)

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First Principles: If the Policy of the Government Upon Vital Questions Affecting the Whole People Is To Be Irrevocably Fixed By Decisions of the Supreme Court…The People Will Have Ceased To Be Their Own Rulers

“[I]f the policy of the government upon vital questions affecting the whole people is to be irrevocably fixed by decisions of the Supreme Court…the people will have ceased to be their own rulers, having to that extent practically resigned their … Continue reading →

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First Principles: Wish Not So Much To Live Long As To Live Well

“Wish not so much to live long as to live well.” – Benjamin Franklin (1746)

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First Principles: Freedom of Speech May Be Taken Away, and, Dumb and Silent We May Be Led Like Sheep, To the Slaughter

[I]f Men are to be precluded from offering their Sentiments on a matter, which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences, that can invite the consideration of Mankind, reason is of no use to us; the freedom of Speech … Continue reading →

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First Principles: Blessed Are the Peacemakers, For They Will Be Called the Children of God

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – (Matthew 5:9)

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First Principles: The Bosom of America Is Open To Receive Not Only the Opulent and Respectable Stranger, but the Oppressed and Persecuted

“The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respectable Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted … if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment.” —George Washington (1783)

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First Principles: One of the Most Essential Branches of English Liberty Is the Freedom of One’s House. A Man’s House Is His Castle

“One of the most essential branches of English liberty is the freedom of one’s house. A man’s house is his castle.” – James Otis, on the Writs of Assistance, 1761

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First Principles: States, Like Individuals, Who Observe Their Engagements, Are Respected and Trusted: While the Reverse Is the Fate of Those Who Pursue An Opposite Conduct

“States, like individuals, who observe their engagements, are respected and trusted: while the reverse is the fate of those who pursue an opposite conduct.” – Alexander Hamilton (1790)

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First Principles: State Governments Possess Inherent Advantages, Which Will Ever Give Them An Influence and Ascendency Over the National Government, and Will Forever Preclude the Possibility of Federal Encroachments

“The State governments possess inherent advantages, which will ever give them an influence and ascendency over the National Government, and will for ever preclude the possibility of federal encroachments. That their liberties, indeed, can be subverted by the federal head, … Continue reading →

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