“Compacts, then, between nation and nation, are obligatory on them by the same moral law which obliges individuals to observe their compacts. There are circumstances, however, which sometimes excuse the non-performance of contracts between man and man; so are there also between nation and nation. When performance, for instance, becomes impossible, non-performance is not immoral; [...]
Monthly Archives: August 2006
On good government:
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
“[A] wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government.”
On international trade regulations:
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
“[S]hould any nation, contrary to our wishes, suppose it may better find its advantage by continuing its system of prohibitions, duties and regulations, it behooves us to protect our citizens, their commerce and navigation, by counter prohibitions, duties and regulations, also. Free commerce and navigation are not to be given in exchange for restrictions and [...]
On being neutral when others are at war:
Monday, August 28, 2006
“We have seen with sincere concern the flames of war lighted up again . . . and nations with which we have the most friendly and useful relations engaged in mutual destruction. While we regret the miseries in which we see others involved, let us bow with gratitude to that kind Providence which, inspiring with [...]
On the national debt and wartime expenses:
Friday, August 25, 2006
“I consider the fortunes of our republic as depending in an eminent degree on the extinguishment of the public debt before we engage in any war; because that done, we shall have revenue enough to improve our country in peace and defend it in war without recurring either to new taxes or loans. But if [...]
On limited government:
Thursday, August 24, 2006
“That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves.”
On liberty:
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
“I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it.”
On living in peace:
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
“The evils which of necessity encompass the life of man are sufficiently numerous. Why should we add to them by voluntarily distressing and destroying one another? Peace, brothers, is better than war. In a long and bloody war, we lose many friends and gain nothing. Let us then live in peace and friendship together, doing [...]
On encouraging immigrants to adopt American culture:
Monday, August 21, 2006
“Although as to other foreigners it is thought better to discourage their settling together in large masses, wherein . . . they preserve for a long time their own languages, habits, and principles of government, and that they should distribute themselves sparsely among the natives for quicker amalgamation. . . .”
On the national debt:
Friday, August 18, 2006
“I sincerely believe . . . that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity under the name of funding is but swindling futurity on a large scale.”