Free Governance Quotes

The foundation of English liberty and of all free government is a right in the people to participate in their legislative council.

It must never be forgotten ... that the liberties of the people are not so safe under the gracious manner of government as by the limitation of power.

Permissive legislation is the characteristic of a free people.

Excessive dealings with tyrants are not good for the security of free states.

All history shows the necessity, in order to the preservation of liberty, of every subjects having a watchful eye on the conduct of Kings, Ministers, and Parliament, and of every subjects being not only secured, but encouraged in alarming his fellow subjects on occasion of every attempt upon public liberty.

Great nations which fail to meet their responsibilities are consigned to the dustbin of history. We grew from that small, weak republic which had as its assets spirit, optimism, faith in God and an unshakeable belief that free men and women could govern themselves wisely. We became the leader of the free world, an example for all those who cherish freedom.

The process of our democracy must not be imperiled by the denial of essential powers of free government.

True liberal government is founded on the emancipation of men.

We... are not really free if we can't control our own government and its policies. And we will never do that if we remain ignorant.

The basis of a democratic state is liberty.

If elected, I would not be the mere president of a party - I would endeavor to act independent of party domination and should feel bound to administer the government untrammeled by party schemes.

The Roman Catholic religion ... is essentially anti-American, being opposed to the genius of all free institutions, and positively subversive to them, opposing the general knowledge among the whole community, so essential to liberty and the permanency of good government.

Men have discovered no technique for long preserving free government except that the executive be under the law..

It imperils what I conceive to be the underlying, the very first principles of this Republic. It is in conflict with the right of our people to govern themselves free from all restraint, legal or moral, of foreign powers....

My purpose is to be, in my action, just and constitutional; and yet practical, in performing the important duty, with which I am charged, of maintaining the unity, and the free principles of our common country.

Liberty ought to be the direct end of your government.

... large and permanent military establishments ... are forbidden by the principles of free government, and against the necessity of which the militia were meant to be a constitutional bulwark.

It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking in a free Country should inspire caution in those entrusted with its administration, to confine themselves within their respective Constitutional spheres; avoiding in the exercise of the Powers of one department to encroach upon another.

Every people may establish what form of government they please, and change it as they please, the will of the nation being the only thing essential.

My attitude is govern as if you've run your last race. That's not to say I've run my last race, but govern with a liberation and a freedom; change your mind frame to operate that way.

The foundations of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality, and the preeminence of free government be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of its citizens, and command the respect of the world.