Returning To You What Was Stolen From You .....
Your Patrick Henry:
Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense?
Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.
If this be treason, make the most of it!
Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!
An army of principles can penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot.
The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.
The great object is that every man be armed.
We are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of Nature has placed in our power... the battle, sir, is not to the strong alone it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.
When the American spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different: Liberty, sir, was the primary object.
It can not be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ!
The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.
It is natural for man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts... For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it.
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Your Thomas Paine
He who is the author of a war lets loose the whole contagion of hell and opens a vein that bleeds a nation to death.
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial an article as Freedom should not be highly rated.
A constitution is not the act of a government, but of a people constituting a government; and government without a constitution is power without a right. All power exercised over a nation, must have some beginning. It must be either delegated, or assumed. There are not other sources. All delegated power is trust, and all assumed power is usurpation. Time does not alter the nature and quality of either.
If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.
It has been thought a considerable advance towards establishing the principles of Freedom, to say, that government is a compact between those who govern and those that are governed: but this cannot be true, because it is putting the effect before the cause; for as man must have existed before governments existed, there necessarily was a time when governments did not exist, and consequently there could originally exist no governors to form such a compact with. The fact therefore must be, that the individuals themselves, each in his own personal and sovereign right, entered into a compact with each other to produce a government: and this is the only mode in which governments have a right to arise, and the only principle on which they have a right to exist. [Unfortunately, friend Paine overlooked the possibility that governments are formed by conquest of one tribe by another. They begin in conquest and slavery. Freedom is something born afterwards -- always born of evolution or revolution and refreshed by revolution when social evolution mutates back into slavery. The compact of society is created not originally by natural law, but by liberating group invention and force. --Dick Eastman)
I have always strenuously supported the right of every man to his own opinion, however different that opinion might be to mine. He who denies another this right makes a slave of himself to his present opinion, because he precludes himself the right of changing it.
When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon.
That government is best which governs least.
The instant formal government is abolished, society begins to act. A general association takes place, and common interest produces common security.
We have it in our power to begin the world over again.
To say that any people are not fit for freedom, is to make poverty their choice, and to say they had rather be loaded with taxes than not.
The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.
All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.
It is necessary to the happiness of man that he be mentally faithful to himself. Infidelity does not consist in believing, or in disbelieving, it consists in professing to believe what he does not believe.
I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy.
War involves in its progress such a train of unforeseen circumstances that no human wisdom can calculate the end; it has but one thing certain, and that is to increase debt and taxes.
He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates his duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.
Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man.
The strength and power of despotism consists wholly in the fear of resistance.
To establish any mode to abolish war, however advantageous it might be to Nations, would be to take from such Government the most lucrative of its branches.
Every science has for its basis a system of principles as fixed and unalterable as those by which the universe is regulated and governed. Man cannot make principles; he can only discover them.
Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.
'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.
The trade of governing has always been monopolized by the most ignorant and the most rascally individuals of mankind.
Society in every state is a blessing, but Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
Some writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher.
I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish Church, by the Roman Church, by the Greek Church, by the Turkish Church, by the Protestant Church, nor by any Church that I know of. My own mind is my own Church.
A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.
Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property... Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them.
He that rebels against reason is a real rebel, but he that in defence of reason rebels against tyranny has a better title to Defender of the Faith, than George the Third.
If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way.
It is an affront to treat falsehood with complaisance.
When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary.
My country is the world, and my religion is to do good.
Your Nathan Hale
I only regret I have but one live to give for my country.
Your John Adams
When people talk of the freedom of writing, speaking or thinking I cannot choose but laugh. No such thing ever existed. No such thing now exists; but I hope it will exist. But it must be hundreds of years after you and I shall write and speak no more.
The right of a nation to kill a tyrant in case of necessity can no more be doubted than to hang a robber, or kill a flea.
Fear is the foundation of most governments.
Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak.
Power always thinks... that it is doing God's service when it is violating all his laws.
Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war.
The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries
In politics the middle way is none at all.
I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scene and design in providence, for the illumination of the ignorant and the emancipation of the slavish part of mankind all over the earth.
There are two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live.
I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.
There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.
Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion... in private self-defense.
While all other sciences have advanced, that of government is at a standstill - little better understood, little better practiced now than three or four thousand years ago.
Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either aristocracy or monarchy. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide.
Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write.
Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.
Liberty, according to my metaphysics is a self-determining power in an intellectual agent. It implies thought and choice and power.
The happiness of society is the end of government.
Your George Washington
The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves.
I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery.
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.
Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light.
The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.
Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.
Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God.
Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth.
The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good.
Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.
The administration of justice is the firmest pillar of government.
The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.
The constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject and authorized such a measure.
The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.
There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate, upon real favors from nation to nation. It is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard.
If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth.
When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen.
Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.
The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it.
Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals.
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.
Nothing can be more hurtful to the service, than the neglect of discipline; for that discipline, more than numbers, gives one army the superiority over another.
Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.
It is our true policy to steer clear of entangling alliances with any portion of the foreign world.
Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.
I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an Honest Man.
Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse.
My observation is that whenever one person is found adequate to the discharge of a duty... it is worse executed by two persons, and scarcely done at all if three or more are employed therein.
Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble.
My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.
We ought not to look back, unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors and for the purpose of profiting by dear bought experience.
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Some facts:
In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
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In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
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Hitler established gun control in 1938
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China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated
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Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
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Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
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Cambodia established gun control in 1956. >From 1975 to 1977, one million educated' people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated
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Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century because of gun control: 56 million.
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It is now 12 months since gun owners in Australia were forced by new law to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to be destroyed by their own government, a program costing Australia taxpayers more than $500 million dollars. The first year results are now in:
Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2 percent
Australia-wide, assaults are up 8.6 percent
Australia-wide, armed robberies are up 44 percent (yes, 44 percent)!
In the state of Victoria alone, homicides with firearms are now up 300 percent. Note that while the law-abiding citizens turned them in, the criminals did not, and criminals still possess their guns!
While figures over the previous 25 years showed a steady decrease in armed robbery with firearms, this has changed drastically upward in the past 12 months, since criminals now are guaranteed that their prey is unarmed
There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of the ELDERLY. Australian politicians are at a loss to explain how public safety has decreased, after such monumental effort and expense was expended in successfully ridding Australian society of guns.
The next time someone talks in favor of gun control, please remind them of this history lesson.
With guns, we are 'citizens'.
Without them, we are 'subjects'.
From: olfriend@nwinfo.net