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Quotes by Founder:
Abigail Adams (2)
Adam Smith (2)
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Daniel Webster (4)
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Edmund Randolph (1)
Elbridge Gerry (1)
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Fisher Ames (4)
Francis Bacon (2)
George Berkeley (1)
George Mason (6)
George Washington (48)
Gouverneur Morris (4)
James Iredell (4)
James Madison (39)
James Monroe (9)
James Otis (2)
James Wilson (6)
Jean Jacques Rousseau (2)
John Adams (38)
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John Dickinson (2)
John Hancock (1)
John Howard Paine (1)
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William Goudy (1)
William Johnson (2)
William Penn (28)
William Pierce (1)
William Pitt (1)
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Your search for "
power of congress
" returned 59 results from 22 Founders.
George Mason:
"That all
power
is vested in, and consequently derived from, the people; that magistrates are their trustees and servants, and at all times amenable to them."
source: The Virginia Bill of Rights, June 12, 1776.
power
of
congress
,
accountability
of
government
Alexander Hamilton:
"Congress have but one exclusive right in taxation—that
of
duties on imports; certainly, then, their other powers are only concurrent."
source: Elliot, 2:355
tax
,
taxation
,
import
,
imports
,
power to tax
,
powers
of
congress
James Madison:
"The President is made too dependent already on the legislature by the
power
of
one branch to try him in consequence
of
an impeachment by the other. This intermediate suspension will put him in the
power
of
one branch only. They can at any moment, in order to make way for the functions
of
another who will be more favorable to their views, vote a temporary removal
of
the existing magistrate."
source: Madison, p. 561
impeachment
,
corruption
,
balance
of
power
Andrew Hamilton:
"We ought at the same time to be upon our guard against Power, wherever we apprehend that it may affect ourselves or our Fellow-Subjects. ... Power may be justly compared to a great river which, while kept within its due bounds is both beautiful and useful; but when it overflows its banks, is then too impetuous to be stemmed, it bears down all before it and brings destruction and desolation wherever it goes. If this then is the nature
of
power
, let us at least do our duty, and likewise men use our utmost care to support liberty, the only bulwark against lawless
power
."
source: Defense of Peter Zenger, 1735.
power
,
authority
,
liberty
,
freedom
,
oppression
Abigail Adams:
"I am more and more convinced that man is a dangerous creature and that
power
, whether vested in many or a few, is ever grasping, and like the grave cries, "Give, Give."
source: Letter to John Adams, November 27, 1775.
power
,
authority
,
freedom
,
corruption
,
control
John Adams:
"The jaws
of
power
are always open to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom
of
thinking, speaking, and writing."
source: "Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law" 1765.
power
,
corruption
,
freedom
James Madison:
"The accumulation
of
all
power
, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether
of
one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition
of
tyranny."
source: The Federalist Papers, 1788.
power
,
balance
of
power
,
wealth
,
tryanny
,
virtue
James Madison:
"No axiom is more clearly established in law, or in reason, than that wherever the end is required, the means are authorized; whenever a general
power
to do a thing is given, every particular
power
necessary for doing it, is included."
source: The Federalist Papers, 1788.
power
,
authority
,
law
,
means to an end
,
the end justifies the means
James Madison:
"All men having
power
ought to be distrusted to a certain degree."
source: Speech to the Constitutional Convention, July 11, 1787.
power
,
trust
,
authority
,
balance
of
power
,
corruption
,
deals
Samuel Adams:
"The true patriot therefore, will enquire into the causes
of
the fears and jealousies
of
his countrymen; and if he finds they are not groundless, he will be far from endeavoring to allay or stifle them: On the contrary, constrain'd by the Amor Patriae and from public views, he will by all proper means in his
power
foment and cherish them: He will, as far as he is able, keep the attention
of
this fellow citizens awake to their grievances; and not suffer them to be at rest, till the causes
of
their just complaints are removed. --At such a time Philanthrop's Patriot [a King's man] may be "very cautious
of
charging the want
of
ability or integrity to those with whom any
of
the powers
of
government are entrusted": But the true patriot, will constantly be jealous
of
those very men: Knowing that
power
, especially in times
of
corruption, makes men wanton; that it intoxicates the mind; and unless those with whom it is entrusted, are carefully watched, such is the weakness or the perverseness
of
human nature, they will be apt to domineer over the people, instead
of
governing them, according to the known laws
of
the state, to which alone they have submitted. If he finds, upon the best enquiry, the want
of
ability or integrity; that is, an ignorance
of
, or a disposition to depart from, the constitution, which is the measure and rule
of
government & submission, he will point them out, and loudly proclaim them: He will stir up the people, incessantly to complain
of
such men, till they are either reform'd, or remov'd from that sacred trust, which it is dangerous for them any longer to hold. "
source: Essay in the Boston Gazette, 1771.
patriotism
,
truth
,
corruption
,
power
,
power
of
free speech
,
removal from office
Benjamin Church:
"Breach
of
trust in a governor, or attempting to enlarge a limited
power
, effectually absolves subjects from every bond
of
covenant and peace; the crimes acted by a king against the people are the highest treason against the highest law among men."
source: Boston Massacre Oration, March 5, 1773.
trust
,
kings
,
aristocrats
,
power
,
classes
James Iredell:
"The
power
of
impeachment is given by this Constitution, to bring great offenders to punishment. It is calculated to bring them to punishment for crimes which it is not easy to describe, but which every one must be convinced is a high crime and misdemeanor against the government. This
power
is lodged in those who represent the great body
of
the people, because the occasion for its exercise will arise from acts
of
great injury to the community, and the objects
of
it may be such as cannot be easily reached by an ordinary tribunal. The trial belongs to the Senate, lest an inferior tribunal should be too much awed by so powerful an accuser."
source: Speech in North Carolina Ratifying Convention, July 28, 1788.
impeachment
,
congress
Samuel Adams:
"Nothing is more essential to the establishment
of
manners in a State than that all persons employed in places
of
power
and trust must be men
of
unexceptionable characters."
source: To James Warren, 1775
character
,
manners
,
representatives
,
power
,
trustworthiness
James Madison:
"I believe there are more instances
of
the abridgment
of
the freedom
of
the people by gradual and silent encroachments
of
those in
power
, than by violent and sudden usurpation [...]. This danger ought to be wisely guarded against. "
source: Elliot, Debates in the State Conventions, 3:87.
corruption
,
loss
of
power
,
subversion
,
conspiracy
Alexander Hamilton:
"The fabric
of
American empire ought to rest on the solid basis
of
the consent
of
the people. The streams
of
national
power
ought to flow immediately from that pure, original fountain
of
all legitimate authority."
source: Federalist Papers, No. 22, p.152.
source
of
power
,
right to authority
Noah Webster:
"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom
of
Europe. The supreme
power
in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body
of
the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band
of
regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States."
source: An Examination of the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution.
arms
,
the right to bear arms
,
weapons
,
defense
,
power
of
the people
George Washington:
"The
power
under the Constitution will always be with the people. It is entrusted for certain purposes and for a limited period, to representatives
of
their own choosing; and whenever it is executed contrary to their interests, or not agreeable to their wishes, their servants can and undoubtedly will be recalled."
source: From The Great Prologue by Mark E. Petersen, 1975 Deseret Book Company (In a letter to Henry Knox from Philadelphia dated October 15, 1787)
recall
,
unconstitutional
,
elected servants
,
power
,
constitution
,
trust
,
representatives
George Mason:
"From the nature
of
man, we may be sure that those who have
power
in their hands will not give it up while they can retain it. On the contrary, we know that they will always, when they can, rather increase it."
source: Madison, p.232
power
,
corruption
,
maintaining power
,
tendency
of
man
,
dominance
,
hypocricy
James Iredell:
"The only real security
of
liberty, in any country, is the jealousy and circumspection
of
the people themselves. Let them be watchful over their rulers. Should they find a combination against their liberties, and all other methods appear insufficient to preserve them, they have, thank God, an ultimate remedy. That
power
which created the government can destroy it. Should the government, on trial, be found to want amendments, those amendments can be made in a regular method, in a mode prescribed by the Constitution itself [...]. We have [this] watchfulness
of
the people, which I hope will never be found wanting."
source: Elliot, 4:130
amendment
,
constitutional convention
,
secret combination
,
retention
of
liberties
,
power
of
the people
Benjamin Franklin:
"Think what you do when you run in debt; you give to another
power
over your liberty."
source: n/a
national debt
,
transfer
of
power
,
bondage
of
debt
,
savings
,
money
George Washington:
"For heaven's sake, who are Congress? Are they not the creatures
of
the people, amenable to them for their conduct and dependent from day to day on their breath?"
source: To William Gordon, July 8, 1783
role
of
congressmen
,
power
of
people
,
congressional responsibility
James Madison:
"The House
of
Representatives cannot only refuse, but they alone can propose the supplies requisite for the support
of
government. They, in a word, hold the purse."
source: Federalist Papers, No. 58
power
of
House
of
Representatives
,
financial responsibility
James Iredell:
"The authority over money will do everything. A government cannot be supported without money. Our representatives may at any time compel the Senate to agree to a reasonable measure, by withholding supplies till the measure is consented to."
source: Ibid., p.129
power
of
House
of
Representatives
,
compromise
,
creation
of
law
James Madison:
"Democracies have ever been spectacles
of
turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights
of
property; an have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths. Theoretic politicians, who have patronized this species
of
government, have erroneously supposed that by reducing mankind to a perfect equality in their political rights, they would at the same time be perfectly equalized and assimilated in their possessions, their opinions, and their passions."
source: Federalist Papers, No. 10
government restraint
,
equality
,
disposition
of
people in power
William Goudy:
"I am jealous and suspicious
of
the liberties
of
mankind [...] Suspicions in small communities, are a pest to mankind, but in a matter
of
this magnitude, which concerns the interest
of
millions yet unborn, suspicion is a very noble virtue."
source: Ibid., p. 93
suspicion
,
generations to come
,
power
of
leaders
,
checks and balances
John Adams:
"The first
of
qualities for a great statesman is to be honest. And if it were possible that this opinion were an error, I should rather carry it with me to my grave than to believe that a man cannot be a statesman without being dishonest. "
source: Letter to Willian Eustis, June 22, 1809.
honesty
,
statesman
,
congress
,
representatives
,
integrity
Alexander Hamilton:
"We are now forming a republican government. Real liberty is neither found in despotism or the extremes
of
democracy, but in moderate governments."
source: Debates of the Federal Convention, June 26, 1787.
republicanism
,
democracy
,
government
,
balance
of
power
,
Thomas Paine:
"At the commencement
of
the revolution, it was supposed that what is called the executive part
of
government was the only dangerous part; but we now see that quite as much mischief, if not more, may be done, ... by a legislature."
source: On the Affairs of Pennsylvania, 1786.
congress
,
politics
,
branches
of
government
,
balance
of
powers
Noah Webster:
"But while property is considered as the basis
of
the freedom
of
the American yeomanry, there are other auxiliary supports; among which is the information
of
the people. In no country, is education so general--in no country, have the body
of
the people such a knowledge
of
the rights
of
men and the principles
of
government. This knowledge, joined with a keep sense
of
liberty and a watchful jealousy, will guard our constitutions, and awaken the people to an instantaneous resistance
of
encroachments. "
source: "an Examination into the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution" October 17, 1787.
education
,
knowledge
,
power
,
freedom
,
rights
,
balance
of
power
,
watchdogs
William Pierce:
"Was for an election by the people as to the first branch; and by the states as to the second branch; by which means the citizens
of
the states would be represented both individually and collectively."
source: Ibid., p. 66.
congress
,
senate
,
house
of
representatives
,
balance
,
design
of
government
Thomas Jefferson:
"The two enemies
of
the people are criminals and the government, so let us tie the second down with the chains
of
the Constitution so the second will not become the legalized version
of
the first."
source: Reference needed
limited power
,
constitution
,
abuse
of
power
James Madison:
"It will be
of
little avail to the people that the laws are made by men
of
their own choice, if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood; if they be repealed or revised before they are promulgated, or undergo such incessant changes that no man who knows what the law is today can guess what it will be tomorrow."
source: The Federalist Papers, 1788.
lengthly bills
,
wordy legislation
,
congress
,
house
of
representatives
Thomas Paine:
"America ever is what she thinks herself to be."
source: The Crisis, 1780.
America
,
purpose
,
destiny
,
the
power
of
thought
James Madison:
"In all political societies, different interests and parties arise out
of
the nature
of
things, and the great art
of
politicians lies in making them checks and balances to each other."
source: Article in the National Gazette, January 23, 1792.
political parties
,
interests
,
balance
of
power
Alexander Hamilton:
"Men always love
power
."
source: Constitutional Convention, June 18, 1787.
power
,
love
,
natural man
Thomas Paine:
"We repose an unwise confidence in any government, or in any men, when we invest them officially with too much, or an unnecessary quantity
of
, discretionary
power
; for though we might clearly confide in almost any man
of
the present age, yet we ought ever to remember that virtue is not hereditary either in the office or in the persons."
source: "A Serious Address to the People of Pennsylvania" 1778.
power
,
government
,
corruption
,
virtue
John Barnard:
"For one person alone to have the Government
of
a people in his hands, would be too great a Temptation. It tends to excite and draw forth the Pride
of
man, to make him insufferably haughty; it gives him too much liberty to exert his corruptions and it encourages him to become a Tyrant and an oppressor, to dispense with Laws and break the most solemn oaths."
source: The Presence of Great God in the Assembly of Political Rulers, 1746.
power
,
tyranny
,
oppression
,
liberty
,
freedom
,
balance
of
powers
Thomas Jefferson:
"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have."
source: need to add
big government
,
corruption
,
government power
Alexander Hamilton:
"The Union ought to be invested with full
power
to levy troops; to build and equip fleets and to raise the revenues which will be required for the formation and support
of
an army and navy. "
source: Federalist Papers, No. 23
military
,
national defense
,
army
,
levy troops
Gouverneur Morris:
"The reflection and experience
of
many years have led me to consider the holy writings not only as the most authentic and instructive in themselves, but as the clue to all other history. They tell us what man is, and they alone tell us why he is what he is: a contradictory creature that seeing and approving
of
what is good, pursues and performs what is evil. All
of
private and public life is there displayed. ... From the same pure fountain
of
wisdom we learn that vice destroys freedom; that arbitrary
power
is founded on public immorality."
source: Collections of the New York historical Society for the Year 1821", (New York: E. Bliss and E. White, 1821), p. 30, from "An Inaugural Discourse Delivered Before the New York Historical Society byt the Honorable Gouverneur Morris", September 4, 1816
Public morality
,
morality
,
Public Virtue
,
Separation
of
Church and State
Thomas Paine:
"It is the nature and intention
of
a constitution to prevent governing by party, by establishing a common principle that shall limit and control the
power
and impulse
of
party, and that says to all parties, thus far shalt thou go and no further. But in the absence
of
a constitution, men look entirely to party; and instead
of
principle governing party, party governs principle."
source: Dissertation on the First Principles of Government, 1795.
political parties
,
constitution
,
taking bribes
,
party votes
John Adams:
"There must be a positive passion for the public good, the public interest, honour,
power
and glory, established in the minds
of
people, or there can be no republication government nor any real liberty: and this public passion must be superior to all private passions. Men must be ready, they must pride themselves and be happy to sacrifice their private pleasures, passions, and interests, nay, their private friendships and dearest connections, when they stand in competition with the rights
of
society."
source: To Mercy Warren, 1776.
patriotism
,
passion
,
duty
,
commitment
,
public good
,
pure intentions
,
honor
,
integrity
,
liberty
George Mason:
"Now all acts
of
legislature apparently contrary to natural right and justice, are, in our laws, and must be in the nature
of
things considered as void. The laws
of
nature are the laws
of
God; whose authority can be superseded by no
power
on earth. A legislature must not obstruct our obedience to him from whose punishments they cannot protect us."
source: Robin v. Hardaway, 1772.
natural law
,
balance
of
powers
,
legislature
James Madison:
"Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ
of
every other. War is the parent
of
armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination
of
the few. In war, too, the discretionary
power
of
the Executive is extended; its influence in dealing out offices, honors, and emoluments is multiplied; and all the means
of
seducing the minds, are added to those
of
subduing the force,
of
the people. The same malignant aspect in republicanism may be traced in the inequality
of
fortunes, and the opportunities
of
fraud, growing out
of
a state
of
war, and in the degeneracy
of
manners and
of
morals, engendered by both. No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst
of
continual warfare."
source: "Political Observations" April 20, 1795.
war
,
libery
,
freedom
,
conflict
,
national security
,
balance
of
powers
,
virtue
William Johnson:
"The controversy must be endless whilst gentlemen differ in the grounds
of
their arguments; those on one side considering the states as districts
of
people composing one political society; those on the other considering them as so many political societies. The fact is that the states do exist as political societies, and a government is to be formed for them in their political capacity, as well as for the individuals composing them. Does it not seem to follow that if the states, as such, are to exist, they must be armed with some
power
of
self-defense?"
source: Ibid,. pp. 182-83.
representation
of
States
,
representatives apportioned to poulation
George Mason:
"He would, if interrogated, be obliged to declare that his political opinions at the age
of
twenty-one were too crude and erroneous to merit an influence on public measures. It had been said that Congress had proved a good school for our young men. It might be so, for anything he knew; but if it were, he chose that they should bear the expense
of
their own education."
source: Madison, p. 149
maturity
,
representative
,
accountability
,
responsibility
,
election
Thomas Paine:
"Liberty is the
power
to do everything that does not interfere with the rights
of
others: thus, the exercise
of
the natural rights
of
every individual has no limits save those that assure to other members
of
society the enjoyment
of
the same rights."
source: Plan of a Declaration of Rights, 1792.
liberty
,
liberties
,
freedom
,
rights
,
happiness
,
social enjoyments
Thomas Paine:
"All men are Republicans by nature and Royalists only by fashion. And this is fully proved by that passionate adoration, which all men show to that great and almost only remaining bulwark
of
natural rights, trial by juries, which is founded on a pure Republican basis. Here the
power
of
Kings is shut out. No Royal negative can enter this Court. The Jury, which is here, supreme, is a Republic, a body
of
Judges chosen from among the people."
source: The Forester's Letters, 1776.
jury duty
,
republic
,
representatives
,
freedom
,
justice
,
monarchy
John Adams:
"The dignity and stability
of
government in all its branches, the morals
of
the people, and every blessing
of
society depend so much upon an upright and skillful administration
of
justice, that the judicial
power
ought to be distinct from both the legislative and executive, and independent upon both, and both should be checks upon that."
source: Thoughts on Government, 1776.
judicial branch
,
legislative branch
,
executive branch
,
government
,
balance
of
powers
Thomas Jefferson:
"Knowledge is
power
.. knowledge is safety ... knowledge is happiness."
source: Letter to George Ticknor, November 25, 1817.
intelligence
,
wisdom
,
happiness
,
education
James Madison:
"This belief in a God All Powerful wise and good, is so essential to the moral order
of
the world and to the happiness
of
man, that arguments which enforce it cannot be drawn from too many sources nor adapted with too much solicitude to the different characters and capacities to be impressed with it. ... This finiteness
of
the Human understanding betrays itself on all subjects, but more especially when it contemplates such as involve infinity. What may safely be said seems to be, that the infinity
of
time and space forces itself on our conception, a limitation
of
either being inconceivable: that the mind prefers at once the idea
of
a self existing cause to that
of
an infinite series
of
cause and effect, which arguments, instead
of
avoiding the difficulty: and that it finds more facility in assenting to the self existence
of
an invisible cause possessing infinite
power
, wisdom and goodness, than to the self existence
of
the universe, visibly destitute
of
those attributes, and which may be the effect
of
them."
source: To Frederick Beasley, November 29, 1825.
God
,
providence
,
wisdom
,
eternity
,
infinity
,
man's mere existence
John Quincy Adams:
"America ... well knows that by once enlisting under other banners than he own, were they even the banners
of
foreign independence, she would involve herself beyond the
power
of
extraction, in all the wars
of
interest and intrigue,
of
individual avarice, envy, ambition, which assume the colors and usurp the standard
of
freedom. The fundamental maxims
of
her policy would insensibly change from liberty to force. ... She would be no longer the rule
of
he own spirit."
source: Address, July 4, 1821.
foreign relations
,
policy
,
conflict
,
force
,
treaties
James Monroe:
"A virtuous people may and will confine themselves within the limit
of
a strict neutrality, but it is not in their
power
to behold a conflict so vitally important to their neighbors without the sensibility and sympathy which naturally belong to such a case."
source: Third annual message to Congress, December 7, 1819.
foreign relations
,
policy
,
war
,
conflict
,
neutrality
Benjamin Franklin:
"But what madness must it be to run in debt for these superfluities! We are offered, by the terms
of
this vendue, six months' credit; and that perhaps has induced some
of
us to attend it, because we cannot spare the ready money, and hope now to be fine without it. But, ah, think what you do when you run in debt; you give to another
power
over you liberty. If you cannot pay at the time, you will be ashamed to see your creditor; you will be in fear when you speak to him; you will make poor pitiful sneaking excuses, and by degrees come to lose your veracity, and sink into base downright lying; for, as Poor Richard says, the second vice is lying, the first is running in debt. And again, to the same purpose, lying rides upon debt's back. Whereas a freeborn Englishman ought not to be ashamed or afraid to see or speak to any man living. But poverty often deprives a man
of
all spirit and virtue: 'Tis hard for an empty bad to stand upright, as Poor Richard truly says."
source: Smyth, Writings of Benjamin Franklin, 3:416
debt
,
money
,
monetary gain
,
debtors
,
bondage
,
borrowing
,
lending
,
owing money
Nathanael Greene:
"The infant mind is pregnant with a variety
of
passions; But I apprehend it is in the
power
of
those who are entrusted with the education
of
youth in a considerable degree to determine the bent
of
the noble passions and to fix them on salutary objects, or let them loose to such as are pernicious or destructive. Here then lies the foundation
of
civil liberty; in forming the habits
of
the youthful mind, in forwarding every passion that may tend to the promotion
of
the happiness
of
the community, in fixing in ourselves right ideas
of
benevolence, humanity, integrity and truth."
source: To Samuel Ward Jr., 1771.
education
,
children
,
humanity
,
benevolence
,
integrity
,
truth
,
liberty
,
educators
Benjamin Franklin:
"Sir, there are two passions which have a powerful influence in the affairs
of
men. These are ambition and avarice; the love
of
power
and the love
of
money. Separately, each
of
these has great force in prompting men to action; but when united in view
of
the same object, they have in many minds the most violent effects. Place before the eyes
of
such men a post
of
honor, that shall at the same time be a place
of
profit, and they will move heaven and earth to obtain it. The vast number
of
such places it is that renders the British government so tempestuous. The struggles for them are the true source
of
all those factions which are perpetually dividing the nation, distracting its councils, hurrying it sometimes into fruitless and mischievous wars, and often compelling a submission to dishonorable terms
of
peace."
source: Ibid., 9:591
war
,
motive
,
corruption
,
tendency
of
man
,
oppression
Alexander Hamilton:
"A constitution cannot set bounds to a nation's wants; it ought not, therefore, to set bounds to its resources. Unexpected invasions, long and ruinous wars, may demand all the possible abilities
of
the country. Shall not your government have
power
to call these abilities into action? The contingencies
of
society are not reducible to calculations. They cannot be fixed or bounded, even in imagination."
source: Net York Ratification Convention, Jun 27, 1788.
purpose
of
constitution
,
role
of
government
,
limitation
of
powers
Thomas Jefferson:
"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue
of
their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people
of
all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing
power
should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs."
source: www.quotationspage.com
banking
,
federal reserve bank
,
banking institutions
,
liberties
,
private banks
,
currency
,
inflation
,
deflation
Samuel Adams:
"But neither the wisest consitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness
of
the people whose manners are universally corrupt. He, therefore, is the truest friend to liberty
of
his country who tries most to promote its virtue, an who, so far as his
power
and influence extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office
of
power
and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man."
source: Reva Marx Wadsworth. "American Constitution: Made Easy." AMCE. 1991. pg v.
election
,
virtue
,
secure
,
liberty
,
corruption
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