Stephen MacLean

“The federal and state governments are in fact but different agents and trustees of the people, instituted with different powers, and designated for different purposes.” ~ James Madison, “Federalist #46”

“And in the last resort, a remedy must be obtained from the people, who can, by the election of more faithful representatives, annul the acts of the usurpers.” ~ James Madison, “Federalist #44”

“The state governments may be regarded as constituent and essential parts of the federal government; whilst the latter is no wise essential to the operation or organization of the former.” ~ James Madison, “Federalist #45”

“The sober people of America are weary of the fluctuating policy which has directed the public councils. They have seen with regret and with indignation . . . sudden changes, and legislative interferences, in cases affecting personal rights.” ~ James Madison, “Federalist #44”

“One legislative interference is but the first link of a long chain of repetitions; every subsequent interference being naturally produced by the effects of the preceding.” ~ James Madison, “Federalist #44”

“Society has for its element man, who is a free agent; and since man is free, he may choose — since he may choose, he may be mistaken — since he may be mistaken, he may suffer.” ~ Frédéric Bastiat.

“If we are to entrust some men with arbitrary power, prove first of all that these men are formed of a different clay from other mortals; that they in their turn will not be acted upon by the fatal principle of self-interest.” ~ Frédéric Bastiat.

“If human interests are, by their very nature urged into fatal collision, and if this shock can be avoided only by the accidental invention of an artificial social order, the destiny of the human race becomes very hazardous.” ~ Frédéric Bastiat.

“To impair man’s liberty is not only to hurt and degrade him; it is to change his nature; it is . . . to render him incapable of improvement; it is to despoil him of his resemblance to the Creator.” ~ Frédéric Bastiat.

“Here the inherent faults of the representative system are much more clearly displayed. The greater multiplicity of rulers involves greater cumbrousness, greater confusion, greater delay.” ~ Herbert Spencer.

“The choice of inferior representatives, and by them of inferior employees, joined with private interest and divided responsibility, inevitably prevent the discharge of duties from being satisfactory.” ~ Herbert Spencer.

“Not only is it always better to believe truth than error; but the repugnant-looking facts are ever found to be parts of something far better than the ideal which they dispelled.” ~ Herbert Spencer.

“How few men have ever given the matter any serious consideration . . . even of those who are interested in the affairs of society, ever put to themselves the question—Is there any boundary to the interference of government? and, if so, what is that boundary?” ~ Herbert Spencer.

“Before forming opinions upon the best measures to be adopted by a legislative body, it is necessary that well defined views of the power of that body should be formed; that it be understood how far it can go consistently with its constitution.” ~ Herbert Spencer.

“Custom has the enviable power, of coming to conclusions upon most debatable points, without a moment’s consideration . . . and of setting aside almost self-evident truths as unworthy of consideration.” ~ Herbert Spencer.

“Among all the absurd speculations that have been propagated concerning the balance of trade, it has never been pretended that either the country loses by its commerce with the town, or the town by that with the country which maintains it.” ~ Adam Smith, “Wealth of Nations”

“In every country it always is and must be the interest of the great body of the people to buy whatever they want of those who sell it cheapest. The proposition is so very manifest that it seems ridiculous to take any pains to prove it.” ~ Adam Smith, “Wealth of Nations”