PRESIDENTIAL QUOTES
June 9th 2009 06:53
:
Quote me no Quotes!
This entry in "Quote me no Quotes!" covers some of the insightful comments made by presiding Presidents of America. Some of these surprised me, and made me reflect on how far we have been fooled, lied to and led by the nose, by our collective Governments.
President James Madison
(the fourth President of the USA: 1809 till 1817)
Since the general civilization of mankind, 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 usurpations ; but, on a candid examination of history, we shall find that turbulence, violence, and abuse of power, by the majority trampling on the rights of the minority, have produced factions and commotions, which, in republics, have, more frequently than any other cause, produced despotism. If we go over the whole history of ancient and modern republics, we shall find their destruction to have generally resulted from those causes.
Speech at the Virginia Convention to ratify the Federal Constitution (1788-06-06)
Now doesn't that first quote arrest your attention, particularly when regarding our current global enviroment?
In time of actual war, great discretionary powers are constantly given to the Executive Magistrate. Constant apprehension of War, has the same tendency to render the head too large for the body. A standing military force, with an overgrown Executive will not long be safe companions to liberty. The means of defence against foreign danger, have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended. Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people.
Speech, Constitutional Convention (1787-06-29), from Max Farrand's Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, vol. I [1] (1911), p. 465
Wherever the real power in a Government lies, there is the danger of oppression. In our Governments, the real power lies in the majority of the Community, and the invasion of private rights is chiefly to be apprehended, not from the acts of Government contrary to the sense of its constituents, but from acts in which the Government is the mere instrument of the major number of the constituents.
Letter to Thomas Jefferson (1788-10-17)
Much more food for thought eh wot guvnah?
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.
"Political Observations" (1795-04-20); also in Letters and Other Writings of James Madison (1865), Vol. IV, p. 491
Now, wouldn't you just love to read these quotes to those evil clowns Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld? But, maybe they just wouldn't understand the gist of it, they are so far divorced from the plight of the common man, the common good and democracy, all of which became their enemies.
President James Madison
(the fourth President of the USA: 1809 till 1817)
USA President James Madison
Since the general civilization of mankind, 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 usurpations ; but, on a candid examination of history, we shall find that turbulence, violence, and abuse of power, by the majority trampling on the rights of the minority, have produced factions and commotions, which, in republics, have, more frequently than any other cause, produced despotism. If we go over the whole history of ancient and modern republics, we shall find their destruction to have generally resulted from those causes.
Speech at the Virginia Convention to ratify the Federal Constitution (1788-06-06)
Now doesn't that first quote arrest your attention, particularly when regarding our current global enviroment?
In time of actual war, great discretionary powers are constantly given to the Executive Magistrate. Constant apprehension of War, has the same tendency to render the head too large for the body. A standing military force, with an overgrown Executive will not long be safe companions to liberty. The means of defence against foreign danger, have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended. Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people.
Speech, Constitutional Convention (1787-06-29), from Max Farrand's Records of the Federal Convention of 1787, vol. I [1] (1911), p. 465
Wherever the real power in a Government lies, there is the danger of oppression. In our Governments, the real power lies in the majority of the Community, and the invasion of private rights is chiefly to be apprehended, not from the acts of Government contrary to the sense of its constituents, but from acts in which the Government is the mere instrument of the major number of the constituents.
Letter to Thomas Jefferson (1788-10-17)
Much more food for thought eh wot guvnah?
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.
"Political Observations" (1795-04-20); also in Letters and Other Writings of James Madison (1865), Vol. IV, p. 491
Now, wouldn't you just love to read these quotes to those evil clowns Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld? But, maybe they just wouldn't understand the gist of it, they are so far divorced from the plight of the common man, the common good and democracy, all of which became their enemies.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Proving again that somethings never change.
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Congrats on the new site old boy - surely George Dubya should've got a mention for D'oh - um - ah . . . one of the great orators of our time.
Good luck with the blog
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
Tanx for dropping by, and you are right, there are some classic areas of general interest that will always entertain!
cheers
fog
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
HEHE!! Yes, I am sure I will be tempted to quote that idiot's spoonerisms and the like, at some point, but I must make sure I include some enlightened statements by others, to counter balance the IQ lowering affect of Bush!
cheers
fog
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
...found it and I just love it!! *clapping hands* finally some wonderfully well said, food for thought, indeed!
Bravo!
I*m already subscribed.
Lilla ..
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
hehe! Yes, tis a bit of a laarrrff!!!
I love being able to have a laugh and put a tiny sting in the tail if possible, where deserved of course!
cheers and tanx,
fog
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I'd say there will be much fodder for your blog thanks to so many stupid presidents with stupid ideas.
Looking forward to the adventure!!
Tracy
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
taaa muchly and yes, it is a seemingly bottomless gorge for sources of quotes upon which to engorge!
cheers
fog
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life