Quote of the day-Alexander Hamilton warns us against George W. Bush

[babylonsister]

http://commonsense.ourfuture.org/quote_day?tx=3

November 2, 2007 - 2:56pm
Quote of the day
Rick Perlstein
Alexander Hamilton warns us against George W. Bush.

From Federalist #8, "Consequences of Hostilities Between the States":

Safety from external danger is the most powerful director of national conduct. Even the ardent love of liberty will, after a time, give way to its dictates. The violent destruction of life and property incident to war, the continual effort and alarm attendant on a state of continual danger, will compel nations the most attached to liberty to resort for repose and security to institutions which have a tendency to destroy their civil and political rights. To be more safe, they at length become willing to run the risk of being less free....

They {these institutions} would, at the same time, be necessitated to strengthen the executive arm of government, in doing which their constitutions would acquire a progressive direction toward monarchy. It is of the nature of war to increase the executive at the expense of the legislative authority”...

The perpetual menacings of danger oblige the government {of a localized confederacy} to be always prepared to repel it; its armies must be numerous enough for instant defense. The continual necessity for their services enhances the importance of the soldier, and proportionally degrades the condition of the citizen. The military state becomes elevated above the civil. The inhabitants of territories, often the theatre of war, are unavoidably subjected to frequent infringements on their rights, which serve to weaken their sense of those rights; and by degrees the people are brought to consider the soldiery not only as their protectors, but as their superiors. The transition from this disposition to that of considering them masters, is neither remote nor difficult; but it is very difficult to prevail upon a people under such impressions, to make a bold or effectual resistance to usurpations supported by the military power.”

[RaleighNCDUer]

1. Thanks. nt

[FREEWILL56]

2. There is so much wisdom that had come from our forefathers.

Nowadays we can't even get a pResident that can read, write, and speak without violating the people he's supposed to serve. Do note that in the beginning it states external danger and the republicon party is an internal danger.

[Metta]

3. Man, he was on the money.

Some wisdom is timeless. This is one of those times. Thanks for posting.

[Hissyspit]

4. k&r n/t

[Hydra]

5. I've never like Hamilton and the Federalists

but it seems they were just as scared of a unitary as anyone else at that time.

Most people are such idiots for ignoring our roots in favor of "bringing freedom round the world!"