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Founders' Quotes - Debt of the Nation
The Patriot Post ^ | 05/14/2008 | Founding Fathers

Posted on 05/14/2008 9:23:06 PM PDT by Loud Mime

We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.
Thomas Jefferson 1816 - letter to Samuel Kercheval

There is not a more important and fundamental principle in legislation, than that the ways and means ought always to face the public engagements; that our appropriations should ever go hand in hand with our promises. To say that the United States should be answerable for twenty-five millions of dollars without knowing whether the ways and means can be provided, and without knowing whether those who are to succeed us will think with us on the subject, would be rash and unjustifiable. Sir, in my opinion, it would be hazarding the public faith in a manner contrary to every idea of prudence.
James Madison 1790 - Speech in Congress

The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.
Thomas Jefferson 1816 - letter to John Taylor

No pecuniary consideration is more urgent, than the regular redemption and discharge of the public debt: on none can delay be more injurious, or an economy of time more valuable.
George Washington 1793 - Message to the House of Representatives

But with respect to future debt; would it not be wise and just for that nation to declare in the constitution they are forming that neither the legislature, nor the nation itself can validly contract more debt, than they may pay within their own age, or within the term of 19 years.
Thomas Jefferson 1789 - letter to James Madison

[T]he government of the United States is a definite government, confined to specified objects. It is not like the state governments, whose powers are more general. Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.
James Madison 1794 - speech in the House of Representatives


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: foundingfathers; nationaldebt; quotes; thefirstrepublican; thomasjefferson; virginia
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To: YHAOS

Thank you for your response. I’m routinely taken aback by the politeness and rectitude of my fellow FReepers.

Thank you, also, for your comments on the series.


21 posted on 05/18/2008 7:19:50 PM PDT by definitelynotaliberal
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To: YHAOS

My pleasure..... I read the stuff too!


22 posted on 05/18/2008 10:15:24 PM PDT by Loud Mime (Liberalism is a Socialist Disease)
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To: Loud Mime

Thanks. It’s been a while since I’ve read a couple of books about him, he was an interesting fellow.


23 posted on 05/19/2008 7:28:50 PM PDT by Aquamarine (1 Corinthians 2:9)
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