Posts Tagged ‘classics’
Alexis de Tocqueville: The New Despotism
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, Alexis de Tocqueville I see an innumerable multitude of men, alike and equal, constantly circling around in pursuit of the petty and banal pleasures with which they glut their souls. Each of them, withdrawn into himself, is almost unaware of the fate of the rest. Mankind, for him, consists in his children and [...]
William Shakespeare: Misfortune
Daily Dabble in the Classics, William Shakespeare By misfortunes was my life prolong'd, To tell sad stories of my own mishaps. Source: William Shakespeare, The Comedy of Errors I, I; Aegeon to Duke of Ephesus. Daily Dabble in the Classics is researched, compiled, and edited (with occasional commentary, and/or introductory and [...]
Which is the Most Warlike and Most Revolutionary Class in Democratic Armies
Democracy In America, Alexis de Tocqueville, 1831 Vol. 2, Sect. 3, Ch. 23 IT is of the essence of a democratic army to be very numerous in proportion to the people to which it belongs, as I shall hereafter show. On the other hand, men living in democratic times seldom choose a military life. Democratic nations are therefore soon led to [...]
Lower Class Citizenship?—Aristotle: Politics: Book 3, Prt 5
The Moral Liberal, Classics Library Aristotle: "Politics", Book Three, Part 5, 350 B.C.E. There still remains one more question about the citizen: Is he only a true citizen who has a share of office, or is the mechanic to be included? If they who hold no office are to be deemed citizens, not every citizen can have this virtue of ruling [...]
John Adams: A Defense of the Constitutions of the United States, Letter 6
Liberty Letters, John Adams, 1786 Democratical Republics: UNDERWALD My dear Sir, THE canton of Underwald consists only of villages and boroughs, although it is twenty-five miles in length, and seventeen in breadth. These dimensions, it seems, were too extensive to be governed by a legislation so imperfectly combined, and nature has [...]
The Democratic Way of Life: Pericles
Daily Dabble in the Classics, Pericles I will speak first of our ancestors, for it is right and becoming that now, when we are lamenting the dead, a tribute should be paid to their memory. There has never been a time when they did not inhabit this land, which by their valor they have handed down from generation to generation, and we have [...]
Milton’s Areopagitica: In Support of Freedom of Speech
Liberty Letters,1644, John Milton A SPEECH FOR THE LIBERTY OF UNLICENSED PRINTING. TO THE PARLIAMENT OF ENGLAND. This is true Liberty, when freeborn men, Having to advise the public, may speak free; Which he who can, and will, deserves high praise: Who neither can, nor will, may hold his peace: What can be juster in a state than this? — [...]
If Wrong, The Greater the Zeal the Greater the Evil
Daily Dabble in the Classics, Plato Socrates to Crito: Dear Crito, your zeal is invaluable, if a right one; but if wrong, the greater the zeal the greater the evil. ____________________________ Source: Plato: Crito. (427?–347 B.C.)
True Friendship Only Exists Between Good Men
Daily Dabble in the Classics, Cicero But I must at the very beginning lay down this principle—friendship can only exist between good men. I do not, however, press this too closely, like the philosophers who push their definitions to a superfluous accuracy. ... We mean then by the “good” those whose actions and lives leave no question as to [...]
In Lazy Apathy Let Stoics Boast
Daily Dabble in the Classics, Alexander Pope In lazy apathy let stoics boast Their virtue fix’d: ’t is fix’d as in a frost; Contracted all, retiring to the breast; But strength of mind is exercise, not rest. _____________________________ Source: Alexander Pope, Essay on Man. Epistle ii. Line 101
Arnold Joseph Toynbee and the Man Who Saw Religion as a Prime Motivator
American Minute with Bill Federer Historian Arnold Joseph Toynbee died OCTOBER 2, 1975. Providing foreign intelligence for the British during World Wars I and II, Toynbee was a delegate to the Paris Peace Conferences. Educated at Oxford "almost entirely in the Greek and Latin Classics," Toynbee taught at King's College of London, the [...]
H.G. Wells Reflects on U.S. Constitution and Love of God
American Minute with Bill Federer "New Jersey is being invaded by Martians!" was the script of a 1938 radio drama based on the novel War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells, who died AUGUST 13, 1946. H.G. Wells wrote the best sellers The Time Machine, The Invisible Man, and The First Men in the Moon, which inspired a boy named Robert Goddard to become [...]
The American Scholar: The Scholar — Democratic Thinker
American Thought Ralph Waldo Emerson addresses the Phi Beta Kappa at Cambridge with an oration that would become known as The American Scholar. “I learned,” said the melancholy Pestalozzi, “that no man in God’s wide earth is either willing or able to help any other man.” Help must come from the bosom alone. —The Education—The [...]
The American Scholar: The Duty — Democratic Thinker
American Thought Ralph Waldo Emerson addresses the Phi Beta Kappa at Cambridge with an oration that would become known as The American Scholar. He is to find consolation in exercising the highest functions of human nature. He is one, who raises himself from private considerations, and breathes and lives on public and illustrious thoughts. He [...]
The American Scholar: The Education — Democratic Thinker
American Thought Ralph Waldo Emerson addresses the Phi Beta Kappa at Cambridge with an oration that would become known as The American Scholar. Is not, indeed, every man a student, and do not all things exist for the student’s behoof? And, finally, is not the true scholar the only true master? But, as the old oracle said, “All things have [...]
Fisher Ames: Equality Number 6 — Democratic Thinker
American Debate In a series of papers published in 1801, Fisher Ames unleashes one of the Federalist’s most scathing attacks on the Anti-Federalist’s unbridled democratic principles. Ames does so by drawing their principles to their logical conclusions—illustrating his conclusions with the unprincipled actions of the European democrats [...]
Fisher Ames: Equality Number 5 — Democratic Thinker
American Debate In a series of papers published in 1801, Fisher Ames unleashes one of the Federalist’s most scathing attacks on the Anti-Federalist’s unbridled democratic principles. Ames does so by drawing their principles to their logical conclusions—illustrating his conclusions with the unprincipled actions of the European democrats [...]
Fisher Ames: Equality Number 3 — Democratic Thinker
American Debate In a series of papers published in 1801, Fisher Ames unleashes one of the Federalist’s most scathing attacks on the Anti-Federalist’s unbridled democratic principles. Ames does so by drawing their principles to their logical conclusions—illustrating his conclusions with the unprincipled actions of the European democrats [...]
Madison’s Notes — The Federal Convention of 1787 — July 16
Liberty Letters, 16 July 1787, James Madison (Editor's Summary: Agreeing to the whole report (thus far), while the equality of votes in the Senate issue heats up, large and small states asked to meet separately early the next morning to attempt to come up with possible solutions or compromises to end this impasse. Besides that big issue, some of [...]
Madison’s Notes — Federal Convention of 1787 — July 13
Liberty Letters, 13 July 1787, James Madison (Editor's summary: Debate renewed regarding the proposed equality of states within the Senate (the second branch). Discussion continued as to whether numbers or wealth are best for determining representation and taxation. Spelling has been updated and almost all shorthand removed except where Madison [...]
Madison’s Notes — Federal Convention of 1787 — July 12
Liberty Alerts, 12 July 1787, James Madison (Editor's Summary: Gouvernuer Morris moved to add to the clause empowering the Legislature to vary the Representation according to the principles of wealth and number of inhabitants a "proviso that taxation shall be in proportion to Representation." General Pinckney agreed, Mason, Butler, Wilson [...]
Madison’s Notes — The Federal Convention of 1787 — July 11
Liberty Letters, 11 July1787, James Madison (Editor's Note: Discussion regards periodic census resumed, the purpose, said Randolph, "redressing inequality in the Representation. Sherman was against to numerous a House. It would "shackle the legislature. Better to elect a smaller group of "good and wise men, and then confide in them." Mason [...]
Madison’s Notes — Federal Convention of 1787 — July 10
Liberty Letters, 10 July 1787, James Madison Editor's Intro: Debate over how many members will be in the first House of Representatives. More discussion on apportionment, and the need for an initial and periodic census. I've removed some of the shorthand, and updated the spelling. Steve Farrell Mr. KING reported from the Come. yesterday [...]
Madison’s Notes — Federal Convention of 1787 — July 9
Liberty Letters, 9 July 1787, James Madison Editor's summary/best quotes: Patterson as to counting slaves in the rep. formula: "What is the true principle of Representation? It is an expedient by which an assembly of certain individuals chosen by the people is substituted in place of the inconvenient meeting of the people themselves. If such a [...]
Can Inward Slaves Make Outward Free? — John Milton
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, John Milton What wise and valiant man would seek to free These , thus degenerate, by themselves enslaved, Or could of inward slaves make outward free? Source: John Milton, "Paradise Regained," 4th Book. Liberty Letters are compiled and edited (with occasional commentary) by The Moral Liberal, Editor In Chief, [...]
Madison’s Notes — The Federal Convention of 1787 — July 7
Liberty Letters, 7 July 1787, James Madison 1 "Shall the clause allowing each State one vote in the 2d. branch, stand as part of the Report"? being taken up — Mr. GERRY. This is the critical question. He had rather agree to it than have no accomodation. A Governt. short of a proper national plan, if generally acceptable, would be preferable to [...]
Madison’s Notes — The Federal Convention of 1787 — July 6
Liberty Letters, 6 July 1787, James Madison Mr. GOVr. MORRIS moved to commit so much of the Report as relates to "I member for every 40,000 inhabitants" His view was that they might absolutely fix the number for each State in the first instance; leaving the Legislature at liberty to provide for changes in the relative importance of the States, [...]
Madison’s Notes — Federal Convention of 1787 — July 5
Liberty Letters, 5 July 1787, James Madison Mr. GERRY delivered in from the Committee appointed on Monday last the following Report. "The Committee to whom was referred the 8th. Resol. of the Report from the Committee of the whole House, and so much of the 7th. as has not been decided on, submit the following Report: That the subsequent [...]
Madison’s Notes — Federal Convention of 1787 — July 2
Liberty Letters, 2 July 1787, James Madison On the question for allowing each State one vote in the second branch as moved by Mr. Elseworth, 1 Massts. no. Cont. ay. N. Y. ay. N. J. ay. Pa. no. Del. ay. Md. ay. Mr. Jenifer being not present Mr. Martin alone voted Va no. N. C. no. S. C. no. Geo. divd. Mr. Houston no. Mr. Baldwin ay. Mr. PINKNEY [...]
Madison’s Notes — The Federal Convention of 1787 — June 30
Liberty Letters, 30 June 1787, James Madison Mr. BREARLY moved that the President. write to the Executive of New Hampshire, informing it that the business depending before the Convention was of such a nature as to require the immediate attendance of the deputies of that State. In support of his motion he observed that the difficulties of the [...]
Peace, Easy Taxes, Justice — Adam Smith
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, Adam Smith Little else is required to carry a state to the highest degree of affluence from the lowest barbarism but peace, easy taxes, and a tolerable administration of justice; all the rest being brought about by the natural course of things. All governments which thwart the natural course are unnatural, and to [...]
No Other Patron Necessary — Algernon Sidney
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, Algernon Sidney This appears so plainly in Scripture, that the assertors of liberty want no other patron than God himself; and his word so fully justifies what we contend for ... Magna Charta could give nothing to the people, who, in themselves, had all; and only reduced into a small volume, the rights which the [...]
Madison’s Notes — The Federal Convention of 1787 — June 29
Liberty Letters, 29 June 1787, James Madison Editor's Summary: Doctor Johnson asserts "the States ... must be armed with some power of self-defense," thus the House should represent the people, the Senate the states. Mr. Ghorum says districts within the states feared becoming part of a state government; their fears were unfounded. Read pleads for [...]
Madison’s Notes — Federal Convention of 1787 — June 25
Liberty Letters, 25 June 1787, James Madison MONDAY. JUNE 25. IN CONVENTION Editor's Summary: Pinkney, at length, explores the system, history, and roots of the British Constitution, dubbing it the best in existence (to date), but wrong for the United States. State and county rights considered and largely defended by Pinkney, Ghorum, Wilson, [...]
Madison’s Notes — The Federal Convention of 1787 — June 23
Liberty Letters, Saturday, 23 June 1787, James Madison The 3. Resolution: resumed. 1 On 2 Question yesterday postponed by S. Carol: for agreeing to the whole sentence "for allowing an adequate compensation to be paid out of the Treasury of the U. States" Masts. ay. Cont. no. N. Y. no. N. J. ay. Pena. ay Del. no. Md. ay. Va. ay. N. C. no. S. C. [...]
Madison’s Notes — The Federal Convention of 1787 — June 22
Liberty Letters, 22 June 1787, James Madison FRIDAY JUNE 22. IN CONVENTION The clause in Resol. 3. 1 "to receive fixed stipends to be paid out of the Nationl. Treasury" 2 considered. Mr. ELSEWORTH, moved to substitute payment by the States out of their own Treasurys: observing that the manners of different States were very different in the [...]
Madison’s Notes — The Federal Convention of 1787 — June 20
Liberty Letters, June 20, 1787, James Madison WEDNESDAY JUNE 20, 1787. 1 IN CONVENTION Editors Overview: Edmund Randolph argues for the new plan to be ratified by the people. John Lansing Jr. understands that any representative, however elected, would have the natural duty of representing the state collectively. Col. Mason noted that in [...]
Madison’s Notes — The Federal Convention of 1787 — June 19
Liberty Letters, June 19, 1787, James Madison TUESDAY JUNE 19th. IN COMMITTEE OF 1 WHOLE ON THE PROPOSITIONS OF MR. PATTERSON The substitute offered yesterday by Mr. Dickenson being rejected by a vote now taken on it; Con. N. Y. N. J. Del. ay. 2 Mas. Pa. V. N. C. S. C. Geo. no. 3 Mayd. divided. Mr. PATTERSON's plan was again at large before [...]
Madison’s Notes — The Federal Convention of 1787 — June 18
Liberty Letters, June 18, 1787, James Madison The Moral Liberal summary: Alexander Hamilton makes the case for republican government modeled after the British Constitution, it being the only one in the world uniting public strength with individual security. He praises its mixed representation, checks and balances, and the greater stability and [...]
Madison’s Notes — The Federal Convention of 1787 — June 16
Liberty Letters, June 16, 1787, James Madison SATURDAY JUNE 16th. IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ON 1 RESOLUTIONS PROPOSD. BY MR. P. & MR. R Mr. LANSING called for the reading of the 1st. resolution of each plan, which he considered as involving principles directly in contrast; that of Mr. Patterson says he sustains the sovereignty of the [...]
Did Locke Really Justify Limited Government? — Joseph R. Stromberg
Free Enterprise Zone, The Freeman, Joseph R. Stromber John Locke (1632–1704) was a physician, statesman, and political philosopher, filling that last office in a dry, “empirical,” and militantly antipoetic English mode. Locke’s stock has risen and fallen over the years. Contemporaries called him a Socinian (a precursor of Unitarianism), a [...]
Madison’s Notes — The Federal Convention of 1787 — June 14-15
Liberty Letters, June 14-15, 1787, James Madison THURSDAY JUNE 14. IN CONVENTION 1 Mr. PATTERSON, observed to the Convention that it was the wish of several deputations, particularly that of N. Jersey, that further time might be allowed them to contemplate the plan reported from the Committee of the Whole, and to digest one purely federal, [...]
Madison’s Notes — The Federal Convention — June 13
Liberty Letters, June 13, 1787, James Madison WEDNESDAY JUNE 13. IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Resol: 9 1 being resumed The latter parts of the clause relating to the jurisdiction of the Natil. tribunals, was struck out nem. con in order to leave full room for their organization. Mr. RANDOLPH & Mr. MADISON, then moved the following [...]
Madison’s Notes — The Federal Convention — June 12
Liberty Letters, June 12, 1787, James Madison TUESDAY JUNE 12th. IN COMMITTEE OF 1 WHOLE The Question 2 taken on Resolution 15, 3 to wit, referring the new system to the people of the 4 States for ratification it passed in the affirmative: Massts. ay. Cont. no. N. Y. no. N. J. no. Pa. *5 ay. Del. divd. Md. divd. Va. ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. [...]
Madison’s Notes — The Federal Convention of 1787 — June 11
Liberty Letters, June 11, 1787, James Madison MONDAY JUNE 11th. MR. ABRAHAM BALDWIN FROM GEORGIA TOOK HIS SEAT. IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE The clause concerning the rule of suffrage in the natl. Legislature postponed on Saturday was resumed. Mr. SHARMAN proposed that the proportion of suffrage in the 1st. branch should be according to the [...]
Madison's Notes, The Federal Convention, June 9
Liberty Letters, June 9, 1787, James Madison SATURDAY JUNE 9th. MR. LUTHER MARTIN FROM MARYLAND TOOK HIS SEAT IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Mr. GERRY, according to previous notice given by him, moved "that the National Executive should be elected by the Executives of the States whose proportion of votes should be the same with that allowed to the [...]
Madison's Notes — Federal Convention of 1787 — June 8
Liberty Letters, June 8, 1787, James Madison FRIDAY JUNE 8th. IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE On a reconsideration of the clause giving the Natl. Legislature a negative on such laws of the States as might be contrary to the articles of Union, or Treaties with foreign nations, Mr. PINKNEY moved "that the National Legislature shd. have authority to [...]
Madison's Notes — Federal Convention of 1787 — June 6, 1787
Liberty Letters, June 6, 1787, James Madison WEDNESDAY JUNE 6th IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Mr. PINKNEY according to previous notice & rule obtained, moved "that the first branch of the national Legislature be elected by the State Legislatures, and not by the people." contending that the people were less fit Judges in such a case, and that [...]
Madison's Notes — Federal Convention of 1787 — June 5, 1787
Liberty Letters, June 5, 1787, James Madison TUESDAY JUNE 5. IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE GOVERNOR Livingston from 1 New Jersey, took his seat. The words, "one or more" were struck out before "inferior tribunals" as an amendment to the last clause of Resoln. 9th 2 The Clause — "that the National Judiciary be chose by the National [...]
Madison's Notes, Federal Convention of 1787, June 4, 1787
Liberty Letters, June 4, 1787, James Madison MONDAY JUNE 4th 1 IN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE The Question was resumed on motion of Mr. PINKNEY 2ded. by 2 WILSON, "shall the blank for the number of the Executive be filled with a single person?" Mr. WILSON was in favor of the motion. It had been opposed by the gentleman from Virga. but the [...]
