"I do not know whether it is to yourself or Mr. Adams I am to give my thanks for the copy of the new constitution. I beg leave through you to place them where due. It will be yet three weeks before I shall receive them from America. There are very good articles in it: and very bad. I do not know which preponderate. What we have lately read in the history of Holland, in the chapter on the Stadtholder, would have sufficed to set me against a Chief magistrate eligible for a long duration, if I had ever been disposed towards one: and what we have always read of the elections of Polish kings should have forever excluded the idea of one continuable for life. Wonderful is the effect of impudent and persevering lying. The British ministry have so long hired their gazetteers to repeat and model into every form lies about our being in anarchy, that the world has at length believed them, the English nation has believed them, the ministers themselves have come to believe them, and what is more wonderful, we have believed them ourselves. Yet where does this anarchy exist? Where did it ever exist, except in the single instance of Massachusets? And can history produce an instance of a rebellion so honourably conducted? I say nothing of it's motives. They were founded in ignorance, not wickedness. God forbid we should ever be 20. years without such a rebellion.[1] The people can not be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions it is a lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. We have had 13. states independant 11. years. There has been one rebellion. That comes to one rebellion in a century and a half for each state. What country ever existed a century and a half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve it's liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it's natural manure. Our Convention has been too much impressed by the insurrection of Massachusets: and in the spur of the moment they are setting up a kite to keep the hen yard in order. I hope in god this article will be rectified before the new constitution is accepted." - Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, Paris, 13 Nov. 1787[2]
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The tree of liberty... (Quotation)
- Thread starter cashmcall
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My english teachers would call it "wordy" but it was normal in the day to paint a detailed picture.
I digress...
TJ knew the lure of power and the weakness of man and that freedom was not a battle, with a beginning and end but a continual neverending seige.
We've let go far too long now without residtance and it remains to be seen if we have the will to regain it.
I digress...
TJ knew the lure of power and the weakness of man and that freedom was not a battle, with a beginning and end but a continual neverending seige.
We've let go far too long now without residtance and it remains to be seen if we have the will to regain it.
That it is. Smart guy.
Cruella
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And today's slaveholders are?
Texas_tea
Well-Known Member
In this Country it would be the American Left .... the Democratic Party. The same party that supported slavery in the 19th century.
Worldwide it would be the same .... leftist minded individuals and governments!
The boards of big companies, for a start.
Texas_tea
Well-Known Member
Slave
: someone who is legally owned by another person and is forced to work for that person without pay
Surely you are not surprised to realize that no logical thinking person takes your hatred for Freedom and Liberties seriously when you post such off the wall nonsense!
Cruella
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Yeah right. Holding employees against their will is what big company board members do.
Oh no - don't be silly - the Constitution gives them the right to starve to death. Slavery was quite different - they were supposed to feed the slaves, even if they didn't.
Texas_tea
Well-Known Member
Dude ..... you are so under medicated! There is help for those voices lying to you in your pointed little head!
I am afraid I will have to re-frame from any further responses to your confused sick nonsense!
I am afraid I will have to re-frame from any further responses to your confused sick nonsense!
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Cruella
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Oh I see. Well if you don't like working for someone else, start your own business, but be careful so as not to hire anyone, lest you become a slaveholder too.
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