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

To: rjsimmon
How do you reconcile your opinion about "arms" with this quote:

"Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American . . . . The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people." --- Tench Coxe The Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788

When Coxe speaks of "swords" do you really believe that he limits the arms of the people to swords? Do you believe that his phrase "every other terrible implement of the soldier" refers only to muskets? Why would he use the word "every"?

How would the limitation you claim be consistent with the words, "The unlimited power of the sword" and what does Coxe mean when he suggests that such power is NOT in the hands of the federal or state governments?

Coxe was a Pennsylvania delegate to the Continental Congress in 1789. Why would the people of Pennsylvania select him if he was so confused about the right of the people to keep and bear arms?

36 posted on 07/08/2015 10:57:07 AM PDT by William Tell
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies ]


To: William Tell
How do you reconcile your opinion about "arms" with this quote:

I have no issue with Coxe's inclusion of swords. The context is the difference between arms and ordnance.

37 posted on 07/08/2015 11:01:35 AM PDT by rjsimmon (The Tree of Liberty Thirsts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | 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