A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.
Tag: George Washington
(1732-1799) Founding Father, 1st US President, ‘Father of Our Country.’
Despotism through consolidation of power
The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create whatever the form of government, a real despotism.
Last official act
The last official act of any government is to loot the treasury.
No need to encourage immigration
My opinion, with respect to emigration, is, that, except of useful Mechanics and some particular descriptions of men or professions, there is no need of encouragement.
When liberty is abused to licentiousness
Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.
Preserving 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.
Most urgent fiscal consideration
No pecuniary consideration is more urgent, than the regular redemption and discharge of the public debt: On none can delay be more injurious, or an economy of time more valuable … Cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible: avoiding occasions of expence [and] avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt … not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burthen which we ourselves ought to bear.
Americans must put America first
Citizens by birth or choice of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.
The sacred obligation of the Constitution
The Constitution, which at any time exists ’till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole People, is sacredly obligatory upon all.
How best to make citizens happy
Happiness is more effectually dispensed to mankind under a republican form of government than any other.