Quotations

June 18, 2010

• Alexander Hamilton, Federalist Paper #34, (01-05-1788)

  “Let us recollect that peace or war will not always be left to our option; that however moderate or unambitious we may be, we cannot count upon the moderation, or hope to extinguish the ambition of others”

• George Washington, Letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island (1790)

  “The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for giving to Mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation  All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship  It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by [...]

• Patrick Henry, Speech on the Federal Constitution, Virginia Ratifying Convention (06-05-1788)

  “Suspicion is a virtue as long as its object is the public good, and as long as it stays within proper bounds. … Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel”

• Benjamin Franklin, Those Who Would Remove to America, February, 1784

  “Strangers are welcome because there is room enough for them all, and therefore the old Inhabitants are not jealous of them; the Laws protect them sufficiently so that they have no need of the Patronage of great Men; and every one will enjoy securely the Profits of his Industry. But if he does not bring [...]

• James Madison, letter to W.T. Barry, August 4, 1822

  “A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives”

June 17, 2010

• George Washington, Comment to General Henry Knox, March 1789 (If Only Today's Leaders Thought Like This!)

  “For myself the delay [in assuming the office of the President] may be compared with a reprieve; for in confidence I assure you, with the world it would obtain little credit that my movements to the chair of Government will be accompanied by feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the [...]

June 3, 2010

• James Madison, Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments (1785)

  “We hold it for a fundamental and undeniable truth, “that Religion or the duty which we owe to our Creator and the Manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence.” The Religion then of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every [...]