Posted by
JDW on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 3:00:16 PM
"I pronounce it as certain that there was never yet a truly great
man that was not at the same time truly virtuous."
-- Benjamin Franklin (The Busy-body, No. 3, 18 February 1728)
" If men of wisdom and knowledge, of moderation and temperance,
of patience, fortitude and perseverance, of sobriety and true
republican simplicity of manners, of zeal for the honour of
the Supreme Being and the welfare of the commonwealth; if men
possessed of these other excellent qualities are chosen to fill
the seats of government, we may expect that our affairs will rest
on a solid and permanent foundation."
-- Samuel Adams (letter to Elbridge Gerry, 27 November 1780)
" It will not be denied that power is of an encroaching nature
and that it ought to be effectually restrained from passing
the limits assigned to it. After discriminating, therefore,
in theory, the several classes of power, as they may in their
nature be legislative, executive, or judiciary, the next and most
difficult task is to provide some practical security for each,
against the invasion of the others."
-- James Madison (Federalist No. 48, 1 February 1788)