“Citizens by birth or choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of ‘American’ which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.”
– George Washington
'Emergencies' have always been the pretext on which the safeguards of individual liberty have been eroded.
But you must remember, my fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty, and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing.
- Andrew Jackson
Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze - Patriotic Artwork
Lord Acton was not a Founding Father, nor was he even American, but his quote from above still applies to the broad scheme of political theory, especially, today.
Read more …Rings True to this Day
If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may be even a worse fate, you may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.
- Winston Churchhill