Patric Henry on Liberty - 1788

The Patriot Post
Founders' Quote Daily

"Is the relinquishment of the trial by jury and the liberty of the
press necessary for your liberty? Will the abandonment of your most
sacred rights tend to the security of your liberty? Liberty, the
greatest of all earthly blessings - give us that precious jewel,
and you may take every things else! Guard with jealous attention
the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel."

-- Patrick Henry (Speech to the Virginia Convention, 5 June 1788)

Reference: respe. Quot

Jefferson on Taxes - 1813

The Patriot Post
Founders' Quote Daily

"Taxes should be continued by annual or biennial reeactments,
because a constant hold, by the nation, of the strings of
the public purse is a salutary restraint from which an honest
government ought not wish, nor a corrupt one to be permitted,
to be free."

-- Thomas Jefferson (letter to John Wayles Eppes, 24 June 1813)

Reference: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Library of Congress,
American Memory Collection

America and Canada at Their Worst

Violation of the Vienna Treaty Article 36

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVHCPtuY3d8

'A government big enough to give you everything you want,
is big enough to take away everything you have.'
........ Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson - Two Sides to Every Question

The Patriot Post
Founders' Quote Daily

"Men of energy of character must have enemies; because there
are two sides to every question, and taking one with decision,
and acting on it with effect, those who take the other will of
course be hostile in proportion as they feel that effect."

-- Thomas Jefferson (letter to John Adams, 21 December 1817)

Reference: The Writings of Thomas Jefferson (Memorial Edition),
Lipscomb and Bergh, eds., 15:109.

Jefferson on A popular Government, without popular information

The Patriot Post
Founders' Quote Daily

"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."

-- James Madison (letter to W.T. Barry, 4 August 1822)

Reference: Letters and other Writings of James Madison, vol. 3
(276)

Franklin on Freedom of Speech

The Patriot Post
Founders' Quote Daily

"Without Freedom of Thought there can be no such Thing as Wisdom;
and no such Thing as Public Liberty, without Freedom of Speech."

-- Benjamin Franklin (writing as Silence Dogood, No. 8, 9 July
1722)

Reference: The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, Labaree, ed., vol. 1
(27)

The U.S. Senate - 1787

The Patriot Post
Founders' Quote Daily

"As our president bears no resemblance to a king so we shall
see the Senate has no similitude to nobles.  First, not being
hereditary, their collective knowledge, wisdom, and virtue are
not precarious.  For by these qualities alone are they to obtain
their offices, and they will have none of the peculiar qualities
and vices of those men who possess power merely because their
father held it before them."

-- Tench Coxe (An American Citizen, No.2, 28 September 1787)

Reference: Independent Gazeteer,