Posted: 2/16/2006 9:51:58 PM EDT
[#3]
The ideal of self government has become rare in America, independent self sufficient people don't generally enlist in the military, they exist but they are rare. That a well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people trained to arms, is the proper, natural and safe defense of a free state; that standing armies in time of peace should be avoided as dangerous to liberty; and that in all cases the military should be under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power. — George Mason, Article 13 of The Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776
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Madison on the Militia The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. A well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country. Federalist Papers No. 46 at 243-44
... large and permanent military establishments which are forbidden by the principles of free government, and against the necessity of which the militia were meant to be a constitutional bulwark. Fourth Annual Message, November 4, 1812
An efficient militia is authorized and contemplated by the Constitution and required by the spirit and safety of free government. Eighth Annual Message, December 3, 1816
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Thomas Paine on Arms Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property . . . Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them. — Thomas Paine, Thoughts on Defensive War (1775). Tench Coxe on the Second Amendment Whereas civil rulers, not having their duty to the people duly before them, may attempt to tyrannize, and as military forces, which must be occasionally raised to defend our country, might pervert their power to the injury of their fellow citizens, the people are confirmed by the article in their right to keep and bear their private arms. Remarks on the First Part of the Amendments to the Federal Constitution
Tench Coxe on the Militia Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birth-right of an American .. the unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but, where I trust in God [click on this link for an eye-opener-ed. note] it will ever remain, in the hands of the people. Tench Coxe, Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788.
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