James Madison

Liberty and order will never be perfectly safe, until a trespass on the constitutional provisions for either, shall be felt read more

Liberty and order will never be perfectly safe, until a trespass on the constitutional provisions for either, shall be felt with the same keenness that resents an invasion of the dearest rights.

The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable read more

The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.

Learned Institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They throw that light over the public mind which read more

Learned Institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They throw that light over the public mind which is the best security against crafty & dangerous encroachments on the public liberty.

Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the read more

Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.

I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of read more

I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.