Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Utterly Useless.....
Hope that your breakfast has digested. Because if you read this article, it will make any decent read-blooded American sick....
.
"Backers of illegal immigration at a rally near Los Angeles took down an American flag at a U.S. post office, stamped on it and replaced it with a Mexican flag as police looked on, according to witnesses and a video of the event."
.
Mexican flag flies at U.S. post office
.
Once again our government has proven how utterly useless they are. Why are we paying these peoples salaries? They do not enforce the laws, or if they do, they almost invariably go about it in the wrong way. We need to have a massive clean-up in our governmenta(s). On the local, state and federal levels. These people do not serve We The People, they do not uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States. They get fat and happy off the taxes We The People pay and we have nothing to show for it.
.
Once again, we have elections coming up this year, and again in 2008. If We The People do not get the wrong people out, and the right people in, our beloved country will be through. This will most likely be the last opportunity for a peaceful solution. Real I.D. is coming, as well as the North American Union. The supposed 'powers that be' are trying to eliminate the middle class and turn us all into subjects. And you know what? It looks as if they are succeeding in their perverse plan.
.
WAKE UP AMERICA! While we're still able to.....
.
"Backers of illegal immigration at a rally near Los Angeles took down an American flag at a U.S. post office, stamped on it and replaced it with a Mexican flag as police looked on, according to witnesses and a video of the event."
.
Mexican flag flies at U.S. post office
.
Once again our government has proven how utterly useless they are. Why are we paying these peoples salaries? They do not enforce the laws, or if they do, they almost invariably go about it in the wrong way. We need to have a massive clean-up in our governmenta(s). On the local, state and federal levels. These people do not serve We The People, they do not uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States. They get fat and happy off the taxes We The People pay and we have nothing to show for it.
.
Once again, we have elections coming up this year, and again in 2008. If We The People do not get the wrong people out, and the right people in, our beloved country will be through. This will most likely be the last opportunity for a peaceful solution. Real I.D. is coming, as well as the North American Union. The supposed 'powers that be' are trying to eliminate the middle class and turn us all into subjects. And you know what? It looks as if they are succeeding in their perverse plan.
.
WAKE UP AMERICA! While we're still able to.....
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Friday, August 25, 2006
Ayn Rand and Property 'rights' Vs. THE FIRST LAW OF NATURE....
Ayn Rand had written:
.
"Without property rights, no other rights are possible."
.
And it is a statement that I've always disagreed with. In my honest opinion, Rand was incorrect in use of natural reasoning in that statement. Sure, you may own a piece of property, at least here in the U.S. you can, if you have the money. However, if you have not the means of protecting it, can it not be readily taken from you? What would you have then? Are you not back to being only in possession of that which is truly yours and yours only - your life? So then, logic would thusly dictate that the first priority is life. Along with the means of defending that which is yours by right, which includes not only life, but liberty and property.
.
To illustrate the point;
.
It has been reported that Jesus of Nazereth had said "When a strong man armed, keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace” in Luke 11:21. Do you suppose Jesus was speaking of a physical palace? Or could He, as so often He had, been employing the use of a parable? Consider when He had stated "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." And "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
.
The point is clearly made by Samuel Adams and Benjamin Franklin when they had noted, in their collaborative work titled 'The Rights of the Colonists';
.
"Among the natural rights of the Colonists are these: FIRST, a right to life; SECONDLY, to liberty; Thirdly, to property; together with the right to support and defend them in the best manner they can. These are evident branches of, rather than deductions from, the duty of self-preservation, commonly called the first law of nature."
.
It should be quite evident, that without the first two, the last is either unattainable. Or, cannot be retained for long without the means of effective defense. For, as in the realm of nature, where only the strong, fast or wise survive. Is it not altogether possible that one which is stronger than you, can come at their will, and take what is yours? (Including government, whose actual duty it is to secure our liberties?). Unless of course you have the means and will-power, to defend that which is yours. And this is where one of the true intentions of Amendment II of the Bill of Rights enters the picture....
.
Here is the PERFECT description of the original intent of Amendment II:
.
"Knowing of the war when she left Jamaica, & that our coast was lined with small French privateers, she armed for her defence, & took one of those commissions usually called letters of marque. She arrived here safely without having had any rencounter of any sort. Can it be necessary to say that a merchant vessel is not a privateer? That tho' she has arms to defend herself in time of war, in the course of her regular commerce, this no more makes her a privateer, than a husbandman following his plough, in time of war, with a KNIFE or PISTOL in his pocket, is thereby made a soldier?"
.
- Thomas Jefferson, letter to Gouverneur Morris, 08/16/1793.
.
Now, since the U.S. Constitution was founded on "the great principle of self-preservation; to the TRANSCENDENT law of nature and of nature's God..." - James Madison, Federalist #43
.
What is of more value in the eyes of God? A plot of dirt with a building on it? Or, a persons life?
.
Think Jesus answered that one as well;
.
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? - Matthew 16:26
.
"Without property rights, no other rights are possible."
.
And it is a statement that I've always disagreed with. In my honest opinion, Rand was incorrect in use of natural reasoning in that statement. Sure, you may own a piece of property, at least here in the U.S. you can, if you have the money. However, if you have not the means of protecting it, can it not be readily taken from you? What would you have then? Are you not back to being only in possession of that which is truly yours and yours only - your life? So then, logic would thusly dictate that the first priority is life. Along with the means of defending that which is yours by right, which includes not only life, but liberty and property.
.
To illustrate the point;
.
It has been reported that Jesus of Nazereth had said "When a strong man armed, keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace” in Luke 11:21. Do you suppose Jesus was speaking of a physical palace? Or could He, as so often He had, been employing the use of a parable? Consider when He had stated "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." And "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
.
The point is clearly made by Samuel Adams and Benjamin Franklin when they had noted, in their collaborative work titled 'The Rights of the Colonists';
.
"Among the natural rights of the Colonists are these: FIRST, a right to life; SECONDLY, to liberty; Thirdly, to property; together with the right to support and defend them in the best manner they can. These are evident branches of, rather than deductions from, the duty of self-preservation, commonly called the first law of nature."
.
It should be quite evident, that without the first two, the last is either unattainable. Or, cannot be retained for long without the means of effective defense. For, as in the realm of nature, where only the strong, fast or wise survive. Is it not altogether possible that one which is stronger than you, can come at their will, and take what is yours? (Including government, whose actual duty it is to secure our liberties?). Unless of course you have the means and will-power, to defend that which is yours. And this is where one of the true intentions of Amendment II of the Bill of Rights enters the picture....
.
Here is the PERFECT description of the original intent of Amendment II:
.
"Knowing of the war when she left Jamaica, & that our coast was lined with small French privateers, she armed for her defence, & took one of those commissions usually called letters of marque. She arrived here safely without having had any rencounter of any sort. Can it be necessary to say that a merchant vessel is not a privateer? That tho' she has arms to defend herself in time of war, in the course of her regular commerce, this no more makes her a privateer, than a husbandman following his plough, in time of war, with a KNIFE or PISTOL in his pocket, is thereby made a soldier?"
.
- Thomas Jefferson, letter to Gouverneur Morris, 08/16/1793.
.
Now, since the U.S. Constitution was founded on "the great principle of self-preservation; to the TRANSCENDENT law of nature and of nature's God..." - James Madison, Federalist #43
.
What is of more value in the eyes of God? A plot of dirt with a building on it? Or, a persons life?
.
Think Jesus answered that one as well;
.
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? - Matthew 16:26
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Locke, Adams and Wilson...
"For Men, being all the Workmanship of one Omnipotent, and infinitely wise Maker; All the Servants of one Sovereign Master, sent into the World by his order and about his business, they are his Property, whose Workmanship they are, made to last during his, not one anothers Pleasure. And being furnished with like Faculties, sharing all in one Community of Nature, there cannot be supposed to be any such Subordination among us, that may Authorize us to destroy one another, as if we were made for one anothers uses, as the inferior ranks of Creatures are for ours. Every one as he is bound to preserve himself, and not to quit his Station willfully; so by the like reason when his own Preservation comes not in competition, ought he, as much as he can, to preserve the rest of Mankind, and may not unless it be to do Justice on an Offender, take away, or impair the life, or what tends to the Preservation of Life, the Liberty, Health, Limb or Goods of another."
.
- John Locke, the thinker whose ideas led to Blackstone's Commentaries on English law and liberty and Jefferson's Declaration of Independence had this to say about why it is we have a right to defend our lives - with the deadly force of a gun if need be.
(From Citizen SOLDIER).
- John Locke, the thinker whose ideas led to Blackstone's Commentaries on English law and liberty and Jefferson's Declaration of Independence had this to say about why it is we have a right to defend our lives - with the deadly force of a gun if need be.
(From Citizen SOLDIER).
.
Mr. Samuel Adams took Mr. Lockes advice one step further in The Rights of the Colonists:
.
"In short, it is the greatest absurdity to suppose it in the power of one, or any number of men, at the entering into society, to renounce their essential natural rights, or the means of preserving those rights; when the grand end of civil government, from the very nature of its institution, is for the support, protection, and defence of those very rights; the principal of which, as is before observed, are Life, Liberty, and Property. If men, through fear, fraud, or mistake, should in terms renounce or give up any essential natural right, the eternal law of reason and the grand end of society would absolutely vacate such renunciation. The right to freedom being the gift of God Almighty, it is not in the power of man to alienate this gift and voluntarily become a slave."
.
Our laws were based upon the laws of Nature and of Natures God. And yes, we are a Christion nation. And this, regardless of how much the earthly powers that be desire to pervert and subvert it. The FACTS cannot be denied. Nine perverse arbitrary monkeys, in black robes with gavels in their paws, cannot alter REALITY:
.
“The law of nature is immutable; not by the effect of an arbitrary disposition, but because it has its foundation in the nature, constitution, and mutual relations of men and things. While these continue to be the same, it must continue to be the same also. This immutability of nature's laws has nothing in it repugnant to the supreme power of an all-perfect Being. Since he himself is the author of our constitution; he cannot but command or forbid such things as are necessarily agreeable or disagreeable to this very constitution. He is under the glorious necessity of not contradicting himself. This necessity, far from limiting or diminishing his perfections, adds to their external character, and points out their excellency.
.
“The law of nature is universal. For it is true, not only that all men are equally subject to the command of their Maker; but it is true also, that the law of nature, having its foundation in the constitution and state of man, has an essential fitness for all mankind, and binds them without distinction.
“The law of nature is universal. For it is true, not only that all men are equally subject to the command of their Maker; but it is true also, that the law of nature, having its foundation in the constitution and state of man, has an essential fitness for all mankind, and binds them without distinction.
.
“This law, or right reason, as Cicero calls it, is thus beautifully described by that eloquent philosopher. "It is, indeed," says he, "a true law, conformable to nature, diffused among all men, unchangeable, eternal. By its commands, it calls men to their duty: by its prohibitions, it deters them from vice. To diminish, to alter, much more to abolish this law, is a vain attempt. Neither by the senate, nor by the people, can its powerful obligation be dissolved. It requires no interpreter or commentator. It is not one law at Rome, another at Athens; one law now, another hereafter: it is the same eternal and immutable law, given at all times and to all nations: for God, who is its author and promulgator, is always the sole master and sovereign of mankind."
- James Wilson, [The Works of the Honourable James Wilson, L.L.D.; Chap. III Of the Law of Nature]. Mr. Wilson signed the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. In addition he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
“This law, or right reason, as Cicero calls it, is thus beautifully described by that eloquent philosopher. "It is, indeed," says he, "a true law, conformable to nature, diffused among all men, unchangeable, eternal. By its commands, it calls men to their duty: by its prohibitions, it deters them from vice. To diminish, to alter, much more to abolish this law, is a vain attempt. Neither by the senate, nor by the people, can its powerful obligation be dissolved. It requires no interpreter or commentator. It is not one law at Rome, another at Athens; one law now, another hereafter: it is the same eternal and immutable law, given at all times and to all nations: for God, who is its author and promulgator, is always the sole master and sovereign of mankind."
- James Wilson, [The Works of the Honourable James Wilson, L.L.D.; Chap. III Of the Law of Nature]. Mr. Wilson signed the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. In addition he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Well ain't that the truth....
"Men do often, perhaps generally, adhere with greater obstinacy to opinions that are ill, than those that are well founded, and avenge imaginary or trifling injuries with greater violence than those that are real and great."
.
- John Witherspoon, Speech in Congress, Jan. 8, 1778. Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 8.
- John Witherspoon, Speech in Congress, Jan. 8, 1778. Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume 8.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Now THIS is odd:
"Two studies have found that at least 40% of police officer families experience domestic violence, in contrast to 10% of families in the general population. A third study of older and more experienced officers found a rate of 24%, indicating that domestic violence is 2-4 times more common among police families than American families in general."
.
Now THAT'S interesting, isn't it?.....
.
Wonder what the statistics are for OTHER government agencies? Or how about the legislature and judicial departments? Or what the hell, why not the whole legal profession? THAT would be of some interest, now wouldn't it? Wonder how We The People might find out the TRUTH about the people that are attempting to bind us hand and foot?
.
"He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself."
- Thomas Paine
.
Now THAT'S interesting, isn't it?.....
.
Wonder what the statistics are for OTHER government agencies? Or how about the legislature and judicial departments? Or what the hell, why not the whole legal profession? THAT would be of some interest, now wouldn't it? Wonder how We The People might find out the TRUTH about the people that are attempting to bind us hand and foot?
.
"He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself."
- Thomas Paine
Thursday, August 17, 2006
The Works of James Wilson, Chapter III - 'OF THE LAW OF NATURE'.
"When, by the power of some leading members, erroneous laws are once established, and it has become the interest of subordinate tyrants to support a corrupt system; errour and iniquity become sacred. Under such a system, the multitude are fettered by the prejudices of education, and awed by the dread of power, from the free exercise of their reason. These principles will account for the many absurd and execrable tenets and practices with regard to government, morals, and religion, which have been invented and established in opposition to the unbiassed sentiments, and in derogation of the natural rights of mankind."
.
- James Wilson, signed the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. In addition he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
.
- James Wilson, signed the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. In addition he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Republic Vs. democracy....
"It is no accident that the rise of so many democracies took place in a time when the world's most influential nation was itself a democracy."
.
- President Bush's, 'Democracy' speech
.
"This Training Manual No. TM 2000-25 on Citizenship, U.S. History and the Constitution was compiled and issued by the U.S. War Department, November 30, 1928, to teach our young men in the services the fundamental principles upon which our Government was founded.
.
"The precise and scholarly definitions presented throughout the manual were carefully considered as a proper guide for U.S. soldiers and U.S. citizens by the Chief of Staff of the United States Army. Such definitions take precedence over any definitions that may be found in the present commercial dictionaries which have suffered periodic modification to please the powers in office.
"The precise and scholarly definitions presented throughout the manual were carefully considered as a proper guide for U.S. soldiers and U.S. citizens by the Chief of Staff of the United States Army. Such definitions take precedence over any definitions that may be found in the present commercial dictionaries which have suffered periodic modification to please the powers in office.
.
"Shortly after the "bank holiday" in 1933, orders from the FDR White House suddenly demanded without explanation that all copies of this book be withdrawn from the Government Printing Office and the Army posts, to be suppressed and destroyed. So began the demagogic descent of the United States and the subversion of the Constitution into Americanized National Socialism, bankruptcy and the continued state of national emergency that we have experienced as a nation for the past 73 years.
"Shortly after the "bank holiday" in 1933, orders from the FDR White House suddenly demanded without explanation that all copies of this book be withdrawn from the Government Printing Office and the Army posts, to be suppressed and destroyed. So began the demagogic descent of the United States and the subversion of the Constitution into Americanized National Socialism, bankruptcy and the continued state of national emergency that we have experienced as a nation for the past 73 years.
.
"Today there is a great deal of reference by the media and sadly, even by many of our elected officials to “our democracy” or “this democracy” when referring to our government."
.
TM2000-25: 118-120 DEMOCRACY: A government of the masses. Authority derived through mass meeting or any other form of direct expression. Results in mobocracy. Attitude toward property is communistic- negating property rights. Attitude toward law is that the will of the majority shall regulate, whether it be based upon deliberation or governed by passion, prejudice, and impulse, without restraint or regard to consequences. Results in demagogism, license, agitation, discontent, anarchy.
.
TM 2000-25: 120-121 REPUBLIC: Authority is derived throughout the election by the people of public officials best fitted to represent them. Attitude toward property is respect for laws and INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, and a sensible economic procedure. Attitude toward law is the administration of justice in accord with FIXED principles and established evidence, with a strict regard to consequences. A greater number of citizens and extent of territory may be brought within its compass. Avoids the dangerous extreme of either tyranny or mobocracy. Results in statesmanship, LIBERTY, REASON, JUSTICE, CONTENTMENT, and progress.
.
Source: The Soldiers Training Manual issued by the War Department, November 30, 1928
.
Special thanks to Barefoot's World for providing the copy of the manual.
"Today there is a great deal of reference by the media and sadly, even by many of our elected officials to “our democracy” or “this democracy” when referring to our government."
.
TM2000-25: 118-120 DEMOCRACY: A government of the masses. Authority derived through mass meeting or any other form of direct expression. Results in mobocracy. Attitude toward property is communistic- negating property rights. Attitude toward law is that the will of the majority shall regulate, whether it be based upon deliberation or governed by passion, prejudice, and impulse, without restraint or regard to consequences. Results in demagogism, license, agitation, discontent, anarchy.
.
TM 2000-25: 120-121 REPUBLIC: Authority is derived throughout the election by the people of public officials best fitted to represent them. Attitude toward property is respect for laws and INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, and a sensible economic procedure. Attitude toward law is the administration of justice in accord with FIXED principles and established evidence, with a strict regard to consequences. A greater number of citizens and extent of territory may be brought within its compass. Avoids the dangerous extreme of either tyranny or mobocracy. Results in statesmanship, LIBERTY, REASON, JUSTICE, CONTENTMENT, and progress.
.
Source: The Soldiers Training Manual issued by the War Department, November 30, 1928
.
Special thanks to Barefoot's World for providing the copy of the manual.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Whistling a different tune?
James Alan Fox at the Boston Herald is portraying hmself as being more 'rational' concerning gun ownership. Apparently James has felt the wrath of the American gun owning public in the past;
.
"Whenever I breathe even a word about guns in this space or other media outlets, I can expect a rapid-fire barrage of irate e-mails from gun advocates. I’m surprised they can afford so much free time away from keeping their firearms collections well polished."
.
Notice the undertones....Yes, it is easy to see by your opening paragraph that you are changing your tune, James.
.
James just wants to be sure that guns get into the right hands;
.
"I have never suggested abolishing the right of gun ownership by trustworthy citizens. Moreover, the criteria for licensing owners should be standardized (at least within Massachusetts) so as not to infringe on the rights of legitimate gun owners."
.
"Trustworthy"? OK, that's a new one. So now you want only those deemed trustworthy to be able to exercise their God-given, Inherent and Unalienable right? And I suppose you have a definition for whom would be deemed trustworthy, James?
.
There is, of course, the obligatory disparaging remark aimed at the NRA;
.
"As I have noted before, the National Rifle Association has recently grown more powerful in manipulating congressional action. My complaint is not so much with the NRA (which is entitled to its position), but with members of Congress who capitulate to its pressure. Our lawmakers should adopt gun policy based on sound evidence, not based on fear that a potent lobby will hold a gun to their political heads."
.
"Our lawmakers should adopt gun policy based on sound evidence", you say James? Funny, I had always considered the Second Amendment to the Bill of Rights as all the evidence needed.
Interesting....
.
Mr. Fox then goes on about advocating 'ballastic fingerprinting', some tripe about 'imprudent trigger-happy gang-bangers' and more, ad nauseam. Going so far as to make the inference that, those of us concerned about government intrusion(s) are 'paranoid'.
.
Believe I understand why Mr. Fox gets all those E-Mails: j.fox@neu.edu. It is also crystal clear that Mr. Fox needs to get a better, than grade school, understanding of what 'Shall NOT be Infringed' means.
.
If this is a change of tune, I for one, would not have wanted to read his original work....
.
"Whenever I breathe even a word about guns in this space or other media outlets, I can expect a rapid-fire barrage of irate e-mails from gun advocates. I’m surprised they can afford so much free time away from keeping their firearms collections well polished."
.
Notice the undertones....Yes, it is easy to see by your opening paragraph that you are changing your tune, James.
.
James just wants to be sure that guns get into the right hands;
.
"I have never suggested abolishing the right of gun ownership by trustworthy citizens. Moreover, the criteria for licensing owners should be standardized (at least within Massachusetts) so as not to infringe on the rights of legitimate gun owners."
.
"Trustworthy"? OK, that's a new one. So now you want only those deemed trustworthy to be able to exercise their God-given, Inherent and Unalienable right? And I suppose you have a definition for whom would be deemed trustworthy, James?
.
There is, of course, the obligatory disparaging remark aimed at the NRA;
.
"As I have noted before, the National Rifle Association has recently grown more powerful in manipulating congressional action. My complaint is not so much with the NRA (which is entitled to its position), but with members of Congress who capitulate to its pressure. Our lawmakers should adopt gun policy based on sound evidence, not based on fear that a potent lobby will hold a gun to their political heads."
.
"Our lawmakers should adopt gun policy based on sound evidence", you say James? Funny, I had always considered the Second Amendment to the Bill of Rights as all the evidence needed.
Interesting....
.
Mr. Fox then goes on about advocating 'ballastic fingerprinting', some tripe about 'imprudent trigger-happy gang-bangers' and more, ad nauseam. Going so far as to make the inference that, those of us concerned about government intrusion(s) are 'paranoid'.
.
Believe I understand why Mr. Fox gets all those E-Mails: j.fox@neu.edu. It is also crystal clear that Mr. Fox needs to get a better, than grade school, understanding of what 'Shall NOT be Infringed' means.
.
If this is a change of tune, I for one, would not have wanted to read his original work....
Earliest description of Self-Defense in America, I've found so far....
"4. If any person committ any wilfull murther, which is manslaughter, committed upon premeditated malice, hatred, or Crueltie, not in a mans necessarie and just defence, nor by meere casualtie against his will, he shall be put to death. "
.
- The Massachusetts Body of Liberties, 1641
.
You'll also see where much of our Constitution originated from.
.
- The Massachusetts Body of Liberties, 1641
.
You'll also see where much of our Constitution originated from.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Thursday, August 03, 2006
EXTRACTS FROM THE ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE...
"...Exhortations to disregard domestic usurpation, until foreign danger shall hard passed, is an artifice which may be forever used; because the possessors of power, who are the advocates for its extension, can ever create national embarrassments, to be successively employed to soothe the people into sleep, whilst that power is swelling, silently, secretly, and fatally. Of the same character are insinuations of a foreign influence, which seize upon a laudable enthusiasm against danger from abroad, and distort it by an unnatural application, so as to blind your eyes against danger at home....
.
"...For the honor of American understanding, we will not believe that the people have been allured into the adoption of the Constitution by an affectation of defining powers, whilst the preamble would admit a construction which would erect the will of Congress into a power paramount in all cases, and therefore limited in none. On the contrary, it is evident that the objects for which the Constitution was formed were deemed attainable only by a particular enumeration and specification of each power granted to the federal government; reserving all others to the people, or to the states. And yet it is in vain we Search for any specified power embracing the right of legislation against the freedom of the press...
.
"...If measures can mould governments, and if an uncontrolled power of construction is surrendered to those who administer them, their progress may be easily foreseen, and their end easily foretold. A lover of monarchy, who opens the treasures of corruption by distributing emolument among devoted partisans, may at the same time be approaching his object and deluding the people with professions of republicanism. He may confound monarchy and republicanism, by the art of definition. He may varnish over the dexterity which ambition never fails to display, with the pliancy of language, the seduction of expediency, or the prejudices of the times; and he may come at length to avow, that so extensive a territory as that of the United States can only be governed by the energies of monarchy; that it cannot be defended, except by standing armies; and that it cannot he united, except by consolidation....
.
"...In armies and navies, which will, on the one hand, enlist the tendency of man to pay homage to his fellow-creature who can feed or honor him; and on the other, employ the principle of fear, by punishing imaginary insurrections, under the pretext of preventive justice;--
.
"In swarms of officers, civil and military, who can inculcate political tenets tending to consolidation and monarchy, both by indulgences and severities, and can act as spies over the free exercise of human reason;--
.
"In restraining the freedom of the press, and investing the executive with legislative, executive, and judicial powers, over a numerous body of men;--And, that we may shorten the catalogue, in establishing, by successive precedents, such a mode of Construing the Constitution as will rapidity remove every restraint upon federal power.
.
"These are solemn but painful truths; and yet we recommend it to you not to forget the possibility of danger from without, although danger threatens us from within. Usurpation is indeed dreadful; but against foreign invasion, if that should happen, let us rise with hearts and hands united, and repel the attack with the zeal of freemen who will strengthen their title to examine and correct domestic measures, by having defended their country against foreign aggression.
.
"...Pledged as we are, fellow-citizens, to these sacred engagements, we yet humbly, fervently implore the Almighty Disposer of events to avert from our land war and usurpation, the scourges of mankind; to permit our fields to be cultivated in peace; to instil into nations the love of friendly intercourse; to suffer our youth to be educated in virtue, and to preserve our morality from the pollution invariably incident to habits of war; to prevent the laborer and husbandman from being harassed by taxes and imposts; to remove from ambition the means of disturbing the commonwealth; to annihilate all pretexts for power afforded by war; to maintain the Constitution; and to bless our nation with tranquillity, under whose benign influence we may reach the summit of happiness and glory, to which we are destined by nature and nature's God."
.
"...For the honor of American understanding, we will not believe that the people have been allured into the adoption of the Constitution by an affectation of defining powers, whilst the preamble would admit a construction which would erect the will of Congress into a power paramount in all cases, and therefore limited in none. On the contrary, it is evident that the objects for which the Constitution was formed were deemed attainable only by a particular enumeration and specification of each power granted to the federal government; reserving all others to the people, or to the states. And yet it is in vain we Search for any specified power embracing the right of legislation against the freedom of the press...
.
"...If measures can mould governments, and if an uncontrolled power of construction is surrendered to those who administer them, their progress may be easily foreseen, and their end easily foretold. A lover of monarchy, who opens the treasures of corruption by distributing emolument among devoted partisans, may at the same time be approaching his object and deluding the people with professions of republicanism. He may confound monarchy and republicanism, by the art of definition. He may varnish over the dexterity which ambition never fails to display, with the pliancy of language, the seduction of expediency, or the prejudices of the times; and he may come at length to avow, that so extensive a territory as that of the United States can only be governed by the energies of monarchy; that it cannot be defended, except by standing armies; and that it cannot he united, except by consolidation....
.
"...In armies and navies, which will, on the one hand, enlist the tendency of man to pay homage to his fellow-creature who can feed or honor him; and on the other, employ the principle of fear, by punishing imaginary insurrections, under the pretext of preventive justice;--
.
"In swarms of officers, civil and military, who can inculcate political tenets tending to consolidation and monarchy, both by indulgences and severities, and can act as spies over the free exercise of human reason;--
.
"In restraining the freedom of the press, and investing the executive with legislative, executive, and judicial powers, over a numerous body of men;--And, that we may shorten the catalogue, in establishing, by successive precedents, such a mode of Construing the Constitution as will rapidity remove every restraint upon federal power.
.
"These are solemn but painful truths; and yet we recommend it to you not to forget the possibility of danger from without, although danger threatens us from within. Usurpation is indeed dreadful; but against foreign invasion, if that should happen, let us rise with hearts and hands united, and repel the attack with the zeal of freemen who will strengthen their title to examine and correct domestic measures, by having defended their country against foreign aggression.
.
"...Pledged as we are, fellow-citizens, to these sacred engagements, we yet humbly, fervently implore the Almighty Disposer of events to avert from our land war and usurpation, the scourges of mankind; to permit our fields to be cultivated in peace; to instil into nations the love of friendly intercourse; to suffer our youth to be educated in virtue, and to preserve our morality from the pollution invariably incident to habits of war; to prevent the laborer and husbandman from being harassed by taxes and imposts; to remove from ambition the means of disturbing the commonwealth; to annihilate all pretexts for power afforded by war; to maintain the Constitution; and to bless our nation with tranquillity, under whose benign influence we may reach the summit of happiness and glory, to which we are destined by nature and nature's God."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)