If the Founding Fathers Were Here Today
What might the founding fathers say about our current dilemmas?
They’ve already spoken.
Founding Father Quotes:
On the Iraq War
It should therefore be difficult in a republic to declare war; but not to make peace. Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution, 1833
America united with a handful of troops, or without a single soldier, exhibits a more forbidding posture to foreign ambition than America disunited, with a hundred thousand veterans ready for combat.James Madison, Federalist No. 14, November 30, 1787
Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence, (I conjure you to believe me fellow citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake; since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of Republican Government. George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796
On Missing WMDs
By John Barry and Mark Hosenbal for Newsweek:
He was the most dangerous man alive, sitting atop a massive stockpile of deadly weapons. The only way to end the gathering threat was to take Saddam out—and fast. Only there wasn’t any WMD. The fateful fictions that led to war.
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes,our inclination,or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. John Adams in Defense of the British Soldiers on trial for the Boston Massacre, December 4, 1770
On the Patriot Act
But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever. John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams, July 17, 1775
If men through fear, fraud or mistake, should in terms renounce and give up any essential natural right, the eternal law of reason and the great 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. John Adams, Rights of the Colonists, 1772
The right of freely examining public characters and measures, and of freecommunication among the people thereon … has ever been justly deemed the only effectual guardian of every other right. James Madison, Virginia Resolutions, December 21, 1798
Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism. George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796
On Powers of the Executive Branch
[T]he great security against a gradual concentration of the several powers in the same department consists in giving to those who administer each department the necessary constitutional means and personalmotives to resist encroachment of the others. James Madison, Federalist No. 10, November 23, 1787
It will not be denied that power is of an encroaching nature and that it ought to be effectually restrained from passing the limits assigned to it. After discriminating, therefore, in theory, the several classes of power, as they may in their nature be legislative, executive, or judiciary, the next and most difficult task is to provide some practical security for each, against the invasion of the others. James Madison, Federalist No. 48, February 1, 1788
Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.George Washington, Circular to the States, May 9, 1753
On Foreign Policy
A Spoonful of Honey will catch more Flies than a Gallon of Vinegar. Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1748
‘Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent Alliances, with any portion of the foreign world. George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796
Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence, (I conjure you to believe me fellow citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake; since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of Republican Government. George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796
Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796
On National Debt
If each US citizen contributed just $30,000 we could be out of debt! Check your Piggy Bank.
He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing. Benjamin Franklin, from his writings, 1758
If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 1, December 19, 1776
On Bush’s Tax Cuts for the Wealthy
During the campaign, Democrats pointed to the budget deficit as a symbol of poor economic stewardship by Republicans. If they want to reduce it, some sort of tax increase would likely be part of the equation. For one thing, Democrats are not expected to extend the Bush tax cuts; they have stressed directing tax relief toward less affluent Americans. They’ve also proposed ideas like making college tuition tax-deductible.
As to Taxes, they are evidently inseparable from Government. It is impossible without them to pay the debts of the nation, to protect it from foreign danger, or to secure individuals from lawless violence and rapine. Alexander Hamilton, Address to the Electors of the State of New York, March, 1801
On Gay Marriage
History affords us many instances of the ruin of states, by the prosecution of measures ill suited to the temper and genius of their people. The ordaining of lawsin favor of one part of the nation, to the prejudice and oppression of another, is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy. An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy…
These measures never fail to create great and violent jealousies and animosities between the people favored and the people oppressed; whence a total separation of affections, interests, political obligations, and all manner of connections,by which the whole state is weakened. Benjamin Franklin, Emblematical Representations, Circa 1774
I have always considered marriage as the most interesting event of one’s life, the foundation of happiness or misery. George Washington, letter to Burwell Bassett, May 23, 1785
On Immigration
This new world hath been the asylum for the persecuted lovers of civil and religious liberty from every part of Europe. Hither have they fled, not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster; and it is so far true of England, that the same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home, pursues their descendants still. Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776
I am principled against this kind of traffic in the human species…and to disperse the families I have an aversion. George Washington, letter to Robert Lewis, August 18, 1799
I had always hoped that this land might become a safe and agreeable asylum to the virtuous and persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong. George Washington, letter to Francis Vander Kamp, May 28, 1788
The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respectable Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all Nations and Religions; whom we shall welcome to a participation of all our rights and privileges, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment. George Washington, Address to the Members of the Volunteer Association of Ireland, December 2, 1783
On the Media
To the press alone, checkered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for all the triumphs which have been gained by reason and humanity over error and oppression. James Madison, Report on the Virginia Resolutions, 1798
In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened. George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796
On Imminent Domain
Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man is safe in his opinions, his person, his faculties, or his possessions. James Madison, essay in the National Gazette, March 27, 1792
On Republican President George W. Bush
Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm. James Madison, Federalist No. 10, November 23, 1787
The executive branch of this government never has, nor will suffer, while I preside, any improper conduct of its officers to escape with impunity. George Washington, letter to Gouverneur Morris, December 22, 1795
Happy Father’s Day, 2007
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See also
Separation of Church & State Helps Religion
Stumble it!
Couldn’t agree more. I think you’d agree with my dad’s new book, Founders v. Bush. 2 years in the making, he examined actual texts and quotes to determine what the founders would have really thought of Bush, in their own words… if you’d like to do a review I’d be happy to send you a copy. I’d like to hear what you think. http://www.foundersvbush.com
Thank you for the comment and the offer - Much appreciated. I’ll dig deep in my pockets and purchase a copy myself. $15 seems well worth it.
Tortuca