On NOVEMBER 4, 1800, Charles Carroll had written to James McHenry, the signer of the Constitution for whom Fort McHenry was named:
"Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time ...
They therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure and which insures to the good eternal happiness, are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments." - Charles Carroll
Sometimes, as in Singapore, the strong government is benevolent. More often, the strong government is oppressive. But, if there is to be a distribution or sharing of power, there has to be a modicum of self-governance and impulse control.
This is also consistent with the observation that most of the Middle East needs a strong governing hand. That's not surprising, given the selfish tribalism rampant there. That means that GWB's effort to implant democracy throughout the region was doomed to failure.
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Carroll really was a remarkable man
They say there were wonderful parties at his house every 4th of July
I hope the MD govt does not strip his house because of slavery
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Carroll_of_Carrollton
As your link mentions, his cousin, Daniel Carroll signed the Constitution.
To restore free government, we needn’t invent anything, but merely restore the institutions of our Framers, beginning with repeal of the 17th Amendment.
::virulent invective and illiberal abuse, we may fairly presume, that arguments are either wanting, or that ignorance or incapacity know not how to apply them::
WOW - what a way they had with words. The same thing is still going on today but not so eloquently! Today our adversaries know only to use foul language! The more foul, the happier they are...