Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: MACVSOG68
Well, the Whiskey Rebellion comes to mind. It was the first real threat from a group of freedom loving Americans who didn't want the government making any laws or collect any taxes from them. A safe and secure Nation where freedom for all exists was not garnered from the local militias, but from the Constitution, and our military when necessary.

My understanding is that the participants in the Whiskey Rebellion were pardoned, which would seem an indication that their actions can't have been seen as particularly heinous by those in power.

Almost nobody particularly likes having to take up arms, but the Founding Fathers clearly expected citizens to both (1) take up arms against criminals, when the government was legitimately acting against them, and (2) take up arms against rogue government agents, as necessary, when they exceeded their authority.

440 posted on 03/25/2007 4:25:34 PM PDT by supercat (Sony delenda est.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 439 | View Replies ]


To: supercat
My understanding is that the participants in the Whiskey Rebellion were pardoned, which would seem an indication that their actions can't have been seen as particularly heinous by those in power.

Don't tell that to then President Washington. He sent the army in to rout them out and put down their rebellion. He wasn't amused, nor did he look to the 2d Amendment smiling.

Almost nobody particularly likes having to take up arms, but the Founding Fathers clearly expected citizens to both (1) take up arms against criminals, when the government was legitimately acting against them, and (2) take up arms against rogue government agents, as necessary, when they exceeded their authority.

The Founding Fathers didn't agree on almost any part of the Constitution. Have you ever read the Anti-Federalist Papers? That should give you some idea of the confusion, the concerns and the differences of opinion that prevailed at the time. As for taking up arms against rogue government officials, Mr. Madison characterized it as the duty of the state authorized militia, not a bunch of partly organized gangs. At the time, that was both the filler for our military and the state's national guard.

441 posted on 03/25/2007 5:10:04 PM PDT by MACVSOG68
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 440 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson