Tag Archives: Government

First Principles: It Is Error Alone Which Needs the Support of Government. Truth Can Stand By Itself

“It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. Subject opinion to coercion: whom will you make your inquisitors?” – Thomas Jefferson (1781)

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First Principles: Stability In Government Is Essential To National Character and To the Advantages Annexed To It, As Well As To that Repose and Confidence In the Minds of the People

“Stability in government is essential to national character and to the advantages annexed to it, as well as to that repose and confidence in the minds of the people, which are among the chief blessings of civil society.” – James … Continue reading

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Thought For the Day: Let Us Never Forget That Government Is Ourselves and Not An Alien Power Over Us

“Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.”  – Franklin … Continue reading

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First Principles: If Congress Can Do Whatever In Their Discretion…Government Is No Longer A Limited One, Possessing Enumerated Powers, But an Indefinite One

“If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the General Welfare, the Government is no longer a limited one, possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one, subject to particular exceptions.” – James … Continue reading

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First Principles: Were It Left To Me To Decide If We Should Have A Government Without Newspapers, Or Newspapers Without A Government, I Should Not Hesitate A Moment To Prefer the Latter

“Were it left to me to decide if we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” – Thomas Jefferson

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First Principles: What Is Government Itself but the Greatest of All Reflections on Human Nature?

“But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.“– James … Continue reading

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Thought For the Day: The Principle That the Majority Have A Right To Rule the Minority, Practically Resolves All Government Into A Mere Contest Between Two Bodies of Men, As To Which Of Them Shall Be Masters and Which of Them Slaves

“The principle that the majority have a right to rule the minority, practically resolves all government into a mere contest between two bodies of men, as to which of them shall be masters, and which of them slaves; a contest, … Continue reading

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First Principles: An Elective Despotism Was Not the Government We Fought For

“An elective despotism was not the government we fought for; but one in which the powers of government should be so divided and balanced among the several bodies of magistracy as that no one could transcend their legal limits without … Continue reading

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First Principles: I Consider Trial by Jury As the Only Anchor Ever Yet Imagined By Man, By Which A Government Can Be Held To the Principles of Its Constitution

“I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.” – Thomas Jefferson

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Thought For the Day: Government Will Not Fail To Employ Education To Strengthen Its Hands and Perpetuate Its Institutions

“Government will not fail to employ education to strengthen its hands and perpetuate its institutions.” – William Godwin (1756-1836)

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