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I expect we shall be told, that the Militia of the country is its natural bulwark, and would be at all times equal to the national defence...The facts, which from our own experience forbid a reliance of this kind, are too recent to permit us to be the dupes of such a suggestion.

Alexander Hamilton

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More quotes by Alexander Hamilton

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We are attempting, by this Constitution, to abolish factions, and to unite all parties for the general welfare.
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It is a singular capriciousness of the human mind, that after all the admonitions we have had from experience on this head, there should still be found men, who object to the new constitution for deviating from a principle which has been found the bane of the old.
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I have thought it my duty to exhibit things as they are, not as they ought to be.
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The true principle of a republic is that the people should choose whom they please to govern them. Representation is imperfect, in proportion as the current of popular favor is checked. The great source of free government, popular election, should be perfectly pure, and the most unbounded liberty allowed.
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If it be said that the legislative body are themselves the constitutional judges of their own powers, and that the construction they put upon them is conclusive upon the other departments, it may be answered, that this cannot be the natural presumption, where it is not be collected from any particular provisions in the Constitution.
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This power ought to be coextensive with all the possible combinations of such circumstances and ought to be under the direction of the same councils which are appointed to preside over the common defense.
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Schemes to subvert the liberties of a great community require time to mature them for execution.
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The rights of neutrality will only be respected when they are defended by an adequate power. A nation, despicable by its weakness, forfeits even the privilege of being neutral.
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Civil liberty is only natural liberty, modified and secured by the sanctions of civil society.
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The Christian Constitutional Society, its object is first: The support of the Christian religion. Second: The support of the United States.
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I will venture to assert that no combination of designing men under heaven will be capable of making a government unpopular which is in its principles a wise and good one, and vigorous in its operations.
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[T]here is not a syllable in the plan under consideration which directly empowers the national courts to construe the laws according to the spirit of the Constitution.
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We are now forming a republican government. Real liberty is never found in despotism or the extremes of democracy, but in moderate governments.
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A nation has a right to manage its own concerns as it thinks fit.
Alexander Hamilton
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Can any reasonable man be well disposed toward a government which makes war and carnage the only means of supporting itself?
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In the general course of human nature, A power over a man's subsistence amounts to a power over his will.
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[In the event of war, Americans would] resort for repose and security to institutions which have a tendency to destroy their civil and political rights. To be more safe they, at length, become willing to run the risk of being less free.
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Take mankind in general, they are vicious-their passions may be operated upon.
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The loss of liberty to a generous mind is worse than death.
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Though a wide ocean separates the United States from Europe, yet there are various considerations that warn us against an excess of confidence or security.
Alexander Hamilton