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August 27, 2012
"A dangerous ambition "
"more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the forbidden appearance of zeal for the firmness and efficiency of government.History will teach us that the former has been found a much more certain road to the introduction of despotism than the latter, and that of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants. -- Adams, The Federalist #1
Posted by gerardvanderleun at August 27, 2012 3:57 PM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
That type of descent is remedied by weapons.
Posted by: Peccable at August 27, 2012 4:30 PM
Jeez Bill, get your head out of 1804 and join the modern times. I reckon if you think this of Hamilton, you still approve of the three-fifths compromise as necessary to defend against the economic power of Northern commercial interests.
Posted by: John A. Fleming at August 27, 2012 7:30 PM
The 3/5ths compromise didn't protect the Northern interests; Northern interest demanded 0/5ths. The compormise allotted the South much greater proportionaly representation through counting most of it's slaves.
Whether it was Hamilton or Jefferson, whoever was the most dangerous founder is open to permanent debate. Probably, they both were. That was the American genius described by Madison as ambition against ambition, all other experience having been defective. But when you lose half the spokes in that wheel, this is what you get.
Posted by: james wilson at August 28, 2012 12:12 PM