Daily Quote 9/10/2006

Mon. 9/4/2006.
"Work as if you were to live 100 Years, Pray as if you were to die To-morrow."

--Benjamin Franklin (Poor Richard's Almanack, 1757); Reference: Franklin: Writings, Lemay, ed., Library of America (1290)

Tue. 9/5/2006.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created
equal. . ."

The Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776; Reference: The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Memorial Edition, Lipscomb and Bergh, eds., vol. 1 (29)

Amen.

Wed. 9/6/2006.
"The history of ancient and modern republics had taught them that many of the evils which those republics suffered arose from the want of a certain balance, and that mutual control indispensable to a wise administration. They were convinced that popular assemblies are frequently misguided by ignorance, by sudden impulses, and the intrigues of ambitious men; and that some firm barrier against these operations was necessary. They, therefore, instituted your Senate."

--Alexander Hamilton (speech to the New York Ratifying Convention, June 1788); Reference: The Works of Alexander Hamilton, Henry Cabot Lodge, ed., II, 43.

Yes, this is true. However, when they gave the Senate up to a vote by the people, it was corrupted. Now we face the same dangers.

Thu. 9/7/2006.
"A local spirit will infallibly prevail much more in the members of Congress than a national spirit will prevail in the legislatures of the particular States."

--James Madison (Federalist No. 46, 29 January 1788); Reference: Madison, Federalist, No. 46.

Fri. 9/8/2006.
"[A] rigid economy of the public contributions and absolute interdiction of all useless expenses will go far towards keeping the government honest and unoppressive."

--Thomas Jefferson (letter to Marquis de Lafayette, 4 November 1823); Reference: The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Memorial Edition, Lipscomb and Bergh, eds., vol. 15 (491)

Category: Constitutional Issues.