The principles of a free constitution are irrecoverably lost, when the legislative power is nominated by the executive.

The principles of a free constitution are irrecoverably lost, when the legislative power is nominated by the executive.

We have seen that the American Constitution has changed, is changing, and by the law of its existence must continue read more

We have seen that the American Constitution has changed, is changing, and by the law of its existence must continue to change, in its substance and practical working even when its words remain the same.

The Constitution is the sole source and guaranty of national freedom.

The Constitution is the sole source and guaranty of national freedom.

I confess that there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am read more

I confess that there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise.

A Constitution should be short and obscure

A Constitution should be short and obscure

The constitution, on this hypothesis, is a mere thing of wax in the hands of the Judiciary, which they may read more

The constitution, on this hypothesis, is a mere thing of wax in the hands of the Judiciary, which they may twist and shape into any form they please.

Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be read more

Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

A lawyer's primer: If you don't have the law, you argue the facts; if you don't have the facts, you read more

A lawyer's primer: If you don't have the law, you argue the facts; if you don't have the facts, you argue the law; if you have neither the facts nor the law, then you argue the Constitution

"The liberties of our country, the freedoms of our civil Constitution are worth defending at all hazards; it is our read more

"The liberties of our country, the freedoms of our civil Constitution are worth defending at all hazards; it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors. They purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood. It will bring a mark of everlasting infamy on the present generation – enlightened as it is – if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of designing men." -Samuel Adams