- “It may be considered as an objection inherent in the principle, that as every appeal to the people would carry an implication of some defect in the government, frequent appeals would in great measure deprive the government of that veneration which time bestows on every thing, and without which perhaps the wisest and freest governments would not possess the requisite stability.” –James Madison, Federalist No. 49, 1788
Veneration which time bestows on every thing . . .
The history of ancient and modern republics . . .
- “The history of ancient and modern republics had taught them that many of the evils which those republics suffered arose from the want of a certain balance, and that mutual control indispensable to a wise administration. They were convinced that popular assemblies are frequently misguided by ignorance, by sudden impulses, and the intrigues of ambitious men; and that some firm barrier against these operations was necessary. They, therefore, instituted your Senate.” –Alexander Hamilton, speech to the New York Ratifying Convention, 1788
The true principle of government . . .
- “The true principle of government is this – make the system compleat in its structure; give a perfect proportion and balance to its parts; and the powers you give it will never affect your security.” –Alexander Hamilton, Remarks in the New York Ratifying Convention, 1788
Preserving the sacred fire of liberty
- “The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of government, are justly considered deeply, perhaps as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.” –George Washington
[T]he elections of more faithful representatives . . .
- “What is to be the consequence, in case the Congress shall misconstrue … the Constitution and exercise powers not warranted by its true meaning, I answer the same as if they should misconstrue or enlarge any other power vested in them … a remedy must be obtained from the people, who can by the elections of more faithful representatives, annul the acts of the usurpers.” –James Madison
From the consent of the governed . . .
- “Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” –Declaration of Independence, 1776
The sole objects . . .
“The freedom and happiness of man…[are] the sole objects of all legitimate government.” –Thomas Jefferson, letter to Thaddeus Kosciusko, 1810
Making Government unpopular . . .
- “I will venture to assert that no combination of designing men under heaven will be capable of making a government unpopular which is in its principles a wise and good one, and vigorous in its operations.” –Alexander Hamilton, speech to the New York Ratifying Convention, 1788
Being slaves . . .
- “[I]f the public are bound to yield obedience to laws to which they cannot give their approbation, they are slaves to those who make such laws and enforce them.” –Candidus
The natural aristocracy . . .
- “The natural aristocracy I consider as the most precious gift of nature for the instruction, the trusts, and government of society. And indeed it would have been inconsistent in creation to have formed man for the social state, and not to have provided virtue and wisdom enough to manage the concerns of the society. May we not even say that that form of government is the best which provides the most – for a pure selection of these natural aristoi into the offices of government?” –Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, 1813
