‘Founders Corner’ Archives
Samuel Adams — Candidus, 14 October 1776 — Democratic Thinker
Background of the American Revolution Prior to the Revolution, Samuel Adams sends another of his firey letters—under the psuedonym, Candidus—to the Boston Gazette, advancing his belief in Liberty. The truth is, All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they ought. Article Signed [...]
The Nature of the Enemy — Vladimir Lenin
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, Vladimir Lenin As long as capitalism and socialism exist we cannot live in peace; in the end; one of the other will triumph — a funeral dirge will be sung over either the Soviet Republic or over world capitalism. Liberty Letters are compiled and edited (with occasional commentary) by The Moral Liberal, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Fundamental Right of Societies, Clubs, and Nations
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, Gouvernor Morris Every society from a great nation down to a club has a right of declaring the conditions on which new members should be admitted. Source: Madison's Notes on the Federal Convention, August 9, 1787, Gouvernor Morris: delegate from Pennsylvania. Liberty Letters are compiled and edited (with [...]
Fisher Ames: Equality Number 4 — 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 [...]
What Kind of Heritage Shall We Pass On?
Liberty Letters with Steve Farrell Reflecting on the causes of Rome's decay, Horace (65 BC - 8 BC), the leading Roman lyric poet, writes "Our Fathers, viler than our grandfathers, begot us who are even viler, and we shall bring forth a progeny more degenerate still?" Quite a question. But what else should we expect ... then and now, we [...]
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 [...]
Fisher Ames: Equality Number 2 — 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 [...]
They are Jealous of Their Liberties
Americanist History, William Jackman Parliament assumed the right to tax the Americans, and paid no attention to their protests, but characterized them as "absurd," "insolent," "mad." when they expostulated with Grenville, the Prime Minister, he warned them that in a contest with England they would gain nothing. The taxes must be levied at all [...]
On the Moral Necessity of Spies — Sun Tzu
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, Alan Caruba quoting Sun Tzu On the topic of spies, Sun Tzu wrote, “to remain in ignorance of the enemy’s condition, simply because one grudges the outlay of a hundred ounces of silver in honors and emoluments, is the height of inhumanity.” Liberty Letters are compiled and edited (with occasional [...]
In Dispute: Taxation Without Representation
Americanist History, David Ramsay, 1789 Immediately after the peace of Paris, 1763, a new scene was opened. The national debt of Great-Britain, then amounted to 148 millions, for which an interest of nearly 5 millions, was annually paid. While the British minister was digesting plans for diminishing this amazing load of debt, he conceived the [...]
Fisher Ames: Equality Number 1 — 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 [...]
The Ploy of Libertine Liberty — Edmund Burke
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, Edmund Burke So heavy is the aristocratic yoke that the nobles have been obliged to enervate the spirit of their subjects by every sort of debauchery; they have denied them the liberty of reason, and they have made them amends by what a base soul will think a more valuable liberty, by not only allowing, but [...]
Samuel Adams: Oration — Democratic Thinker
American Revolution In 1776 a pamphlet appeared in London of an oration said to have been delivered by Samuel Adams on August 1, 1776, at the State House in Philadelphia . Said also to have been reprinted from Philadelphia, no American copy has been found. If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquillity of servitude than [...]
John Adams on Canon and Feudal Law — Democratic Thinker
John Adams writes a four-part essay first appearing in the Boston Gazette, August 1765, in which he illustrates the conspiracy of the organized church and government to oppress the citizens. At first untitled, the series appeared in England in a small pamphlet entitled A Dissertation On The Canon And Feudal Law. I say rights, for such they [...]
From Such Liberty, O Lord Deliver Us! — Noah Webster
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, Noah Webster But I cannot quit this subject without attempting to correct some of the erroneous opinions respecting freedom and tyranny, and the principles by which they are supported. Many people seem to entertain an idea, that liberty consists in a power to act without any control. This is more liberty than [...]
Empires Must Have Enemies — John T. Flynn
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, John T. Flynn We have managed to accumulate a pretty sizable empire of our own already — far-spreading territories detached from our continental borders.… We have now managed to acquire bases all over the world.… There is no part of the world where trouble can break out where we do not have bases [...]
Nil Desperandum — Samuel Adams
Liberty Letters with Steve Farrell Human nature being what it is, patriotic fervor tends to come and go. In 1772, when it seemed to be more going than coming, James Warren reported to Samuel Adams from Plymouth about the towns he had been canvassing: "They are dead," he lamented, "and the dead can't be raised without a miracle." "Nil [...]
A Blessing or a Curse? — George Washington
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, George Washington In June of 1783, America's fate swung between the between the extremes of anarchy (because of too much democracy and too little executive power) and tyranny (the natural result of anarchy or the desire to restore order); which led George Washington to observe: "It is yet to be decided [...]
Christian Freemen — John Dickinson
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, John Dickinson Let us consider ourselves as MEN — FREEMEN — CHRISTIAN FREEMEN — separated from the rest of the world, and firmly bound together by the same rights, interests and dangers. Let these keep our attention inflexibly fixed on the GREAT OBJECTS, which we must CONTINUALLY REGARD, in order to [...]
Saving America: Worth the Herculean Effort — Robert Welch
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, Robert Welch The question is not whether we can expunge this disease of collectivism, and make America strong and healthy and a true example for all the world again, but whether we think it is worth the Herculean effort, the sacrifice and dedication, that would be required, and I am hoping you think so [...]
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 [...]
John Adam’s Prophecy
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, John Adams Liberty, that has been compelled to skulk about in Corners of the Earth, and been everlastingly persecuted by the great, the rich, the noble, the reverend, the proud, the lazy, the ambitious, avaricious, and revengeful, who have from the beginning constituted almost all of the sons of Adam. Liberty, [...]
Madison’s Notes — Federal Convention of 1787 — July 14
Liberty Letters, 14 July 1787, James Madison (Editor's Summary: Discussed: how to admit Western State (and on what terms), the origination of money bills, and the equality of votes in the Senate as a check in favor of state rights and also in favor of the smaller states against the larger. The debate focused mostly on this Senate issue with [...]
Men With the Mentality of Gangsters — Lord Acton
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, Lord Acton Where you have the concentration of power in a few hands, all too frequently men with the mentality of gangsters get control. Source: Lord Acton as quoted in "Bringing America Home: How America Lost Her Way and How We Can Find Our Way Back" by Tom Pauken, p. 179. Liberty Letters are compiled [...]
The Senate: A Balance For State Rights — Gouverneur Morris
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, Gouverneur Morris The consequence of such a transfer of power from the maritime to the interior and landed interest will he foresees be such an oppression of commerce, that he shall be obliged to vote for the vicious principle of equality in the second branch in order to provide some defense for the [...]
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 [...]
The Only Firm Basis of Liberty — Thomas Jefferson
Liberty Letters Quote of the Day, Thomas Jefferson Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in their hearts that these liberties are of the gift of God, that they are not to be violated but with his wrath. Source: Jefferson, Thomas. Works Volume 8:404.
Man Is Naturally Free — Algernon Sidney
Liberty Letters, Quote of the Day, Algernon Sidney IF any man ask how nations come to have the power of doing these things, I answer, that liberty being only an exemption from the dominion of another, the question ought not to be, how a nation can come to be free, but how a man comes to have a dominion over it; for till the right of [...]
