It’s entirely possible — indeed, probable — that the Jefferson quote is a compilation of thoughts he did put to paper over his long life. I’ve spent a lot of time in the UVa Jefferson papers site and those thoughts are — and that concern is — everywhere.
And the Webster quote doesn’t sound like him?
Then I suppose these also don’t sound like him:
“A strong conviction that something must be done is the parent of many bad measures.”
Daniel Webster
“God grants liberty only to those who love it and are always ready to guard and defend it.”
Daniel Webster
“I was born an American; I will live an American; I shall die an American.”
Daniel Webster
Both these men would fit right in here at FR.
When I say a quote may not be genuine, I’m not saying the gentleman in question wouldn’t have agreed with it, just that there is no proof he actually said it.
I’m perfectly willing to believe the Webster quote is genuine, I’d just like a reference to where it’s found in his speeches or writings. Among other things, this allows a review of the context so we don’t accidentally misrepresent what he was trying to say.
Same thing for the Jefferson quote. Although I did some research on it a year or so ago, and nobody can find a reference any earlier than the 90s. The 1990s.
There is a LONG history of manufactured quotes being attributed to long-dead famous people in order to push a particular political POV in today’s world. Unfortunately, a perfectly valid statement, when shown to be inaccurately attributed to Famous Guy, is then somewhat discredited.
A true statement is truth whether T. Jefferson, D. Webster or F. Flintstone said it first.
Sorry, I may have misunderstood your comment.
When I said it didn’t sound like Webster, I was referring to the wording, not to the sentiment. I’m sure he would have agreed with the content, although as stated I suspect he would be more concerned with the death of liberty than the spread of anarchy.