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Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined. Patrick Henry (1736 - 1799)Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me; give me liberty or give me death! Patrick Henry (1736 - 1799)Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate. Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826)The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object. Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826)I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs. Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826), Letter to the Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin (1802)The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826)Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness] it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government... Thomas Jefferson (The Declaration of Independence)“CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW . . . ABRIDGING . . . THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE . . . TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT FOR A REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES.”“IF MONEY IS WANTED BY RULERS WHO HAVE IN ANY MANNER OPPRESSED THE PEOPLE, THEY MAY RETAIN IT UNTIL THEIR GRIEVANCES ARE REDRESSED, AND THUS PEACEABLY PROCURE RELIEF WITHOUT TRUSTING TO DESPISED PETITIONS OR DISTURBING THE PUBLIC TRANQUILITY.” Continental Congress to the Inhabitants of Quebec, Journals of the Continental Congress, Journals 1:105-113“THE PRIVILEGE OF GIVING OR WITHHOLDING OUR MONEY IS AN IMPORTANT BARRIER AGAINST THE UNDUE EXERTION OF PREROGATIVE, WHICH LEFT ALTOGETHER WITHOUT CONTROL MAY BE EXERCISED TO OUR GREAT OPPRESSION; AND ALL HISTORY HAS SHOWS HOW EFFICACIOUS ITS INTERCESSION FOR REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES AND ESTABLISHMENT OF RIGHTS, AND HOW IMPROVIDENT WOULD BE THE SURRENDER OF SO POWERFUL A MEDIATOR.” Thomas Jefferson, Reply to Lord North, 1775, Papers, 1:225“IN EVERY STAGE OF THESE OPPRESSIONS WE HAVE PETITIONED FOR REDRESS IN THE MOST HUMBLE TERMS. OUR REPEATED PETITIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED ONLY BY REPEATED INJURY. A PRINCE, WHOSE CHARACTER IS THUS MARKED BY EVERY ACT WHICH MAY DEFINE A TYRANT, IS UNFIT TO BE THE RULER OF A FREE PEOPLE.”