A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one. Alexander Hamilton More Quotes by Alexander Hamilton More Quotes From Alexander Hamilton The Courts must declare the sense of the law; and if they should be disposed to exercise will instead of judgement; the consequences would be the substitution of their pleasure for that of the legislative body. Alexander Hamilton judgement law exercise The complete independence of the courts of justice is peculiarly essential in a limited Constitution. By a limited Constitution, I understand one which contains certain specified exceptions to the legislative authority. Limitations of this kind can be preserved in practice no other way than through the medium of courts of justice, whose duty it must be to declare all acts contrary to the manifest tenor of the Constitution void. Without this, all the reservations of particular rights or privileges would amount to nothing. Alexander Hamilton practice rights justice It is a singular advantage of taxes on articles of consumption that they contain in their own nature a security against excess. They prescribe their own limit, which cannot be exceeded without defeating the end purposed - that is, an extension of the revenue. Alexander Hamilton excess taxation limits As to religion a moderate stock will satisfy me. She must believe in god and hate a saint. Alexander Hamilton saint hate believe No man in his senses can hesitate in choosing to be free, rather than a slave. Alexander Hamilton american-revolution liberty men Let experience, the least fallible guide of human opinion, be appealed to for an answer to these inquiries. Alexander Hamilton inquiry public-opinion answers That Americans are entitled to freedom is incontestable on every rational principle. All men have one common original: they participate in one common nature, and consequently have one common right. No reason can be assigned why one man should exercise any power or preeminence over his fellow-creatures more than another; unless they have voluntarily vested him with it. Alexander Hamilton liberty exercise men When human laws contradict or discountenance the means, which are necessary to preserve the essential rights of any society, they defeat the proper end of all laws, and so become null and void. Alexander Hamilton rights law mean The fabric of American empire ought to rest on the solid basis of THE CONSENT OF THE PEOPLE. The streams of national power ought to flow from that pure, original fountain of all legitimate authority. Alexander Hamilton fabric empires people Little more can reasonably be aimed at with respect to the people at large than to have them properly armed. Alexander Hamilton second-amendment littles people The truth is, after all the declamations we have heard, that the Constitution is itself, in every rational sense, and to every useful purpose, A BILL OF RIGHTS. Alexander Hamilton bills purpose rights The civil jury is a valuable safeguard to liberty. Alexander Hamilton jury valuable liberty Man is either governed by his own laws - freedom - or the laws of another - slavery. Are you willing to become slaves? Will you give up your freedom, your life and your property without a single struggle? No man has a right to rule over his fellow creatures. Alexander Hamilton giving-up freedom struggle Passive commerce . . . should thus . . . [compel us] to content ourselves with the first price of our commodities, and to see the profits of our trade snatched from us, to enrich our enemies and persecutors. That unequalled spirit of enterprise . . . an inexhaustible mine of national wealth, would be stifled and lost; and poverty and disgrace would overspread a country, which, with wisdom, might make herself the admiration and envy of the world. Alexander Hamilton envy country enemy Even to observe neutrality you must have a strong government. Alexander Hamilton neutrality government strong The injury which may possibly be done by defeating a few good laws, will be amply compensated by the advantage of preventing a number of bad ones. Alexander Hamilton done law numbers The changes in the human condition are uncertain and frequent. Many, on whom fortune has bestowed her favours, may trace their family to a more unprosperous station; and many who are now in obscurity, may look back upon the affluence and exalted rank of their ancestors. Alexander Hamilton obscurity affluence favour The President, and government, will only control the militia when a part of them is in the actual service of the federal government, else, they are independent and not under the command of the president or the government. The states would control the militia, only when called out into the service of the state, and then the governor would be commander in chief where enumerated in the respective state constitution. Alexander Hamilton independent government president It has been frequently remarked, that it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country to decide, by their conduct and example, the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not, of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend, for their political constitutions, on accident and force. Alexander Hamilton reflection men country In politics, as in religion, it is equally absurd to aim at making proselytes by fire and sword. Heresies in either can rarely be cured by persecution. Alexander Hamilton separation-of-church-and-state absurd fire
