First a quote from Thomas Jefferson, which is seldom represented in its full context. NB— it explicitly calls for the blood of patriots AND TYRANTS.
“God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions, it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. ...
And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance?
Let them take arms. (Yes, JEFFERSON wrote that)
The remedy is to set them right as to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two?
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.”
Now a quote from The Federalist #22 (Hamilton)
“The fabric of American Empire ought to rest on the solid basis of THE CONSENT OF THE PEOPLE. The streams of national power ought to flow from that pure, original fountain of all legitimate authority.”
Now one from Federalist #53 (Madison)
“The important distinction so well understood in America between a constitution established by the people, and unalterable by the government; and a law established by the government, and alterable by the government, seems to have been little understood and less observed in any other country.”
That’s a big’un ... that the constitution is established and altered by only the people, not the government.
And finally, another from Madison, Federalist #45
“The powers delegated by the ... Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.”
Long live States’ rights.
In closing, I present the following thoughts on the definition of tyranny which we fought to overthrow and crafted a government to forever prevent: “ The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of on,e or a few, or many and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.” Federalist #48 (Madison)
May God have mercy on us all.
Amen!
I’ve read all that. I was once Chairman of Veterans for Constitutional Restoration (VetsCoR). While I have forgotten much of the Founding Fathers’ writings since then, I do remember much of their most important writings. Best.