"That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity toward each other."
~James Madison (with George Mason); Virginia Declaration of Rights, Article XVI
"What do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people.
This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people, was the real American Revolution."
~John Adams
"Liberty without virtue would be no blessing to us."
~Benjamin Rush, Letter to John Adams (August 8, 1777)
"Justice will not be served, until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are."
~Benjamin Franklin
"That government is, or ought to be instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, nation or community...and that when any government shall be found inadequate or contrary to these purposes, a majority of the community hath an indubitable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to reform, alter or abolish it, in such a manner as shall be judged conducive to the publik weal."
~George Mason; Draft of Virginia Declaration of Rights; 1776
No man has a more perfect Reliance on the alwise and powerful dispensations of the Supreme Being than I have nor thinks his aid more necessary."
~George Washington; letter to William Gordon, May 1776
"I first saw the Constitution of the United States in a foreign country. Irritated by no literary altercation, animated by no public debate, heated by no party animosity, I read it with great satisfaction, as the result of good heads prompted by good hearts, as an experiment better adapted to the genius, character, situation, and relations of this nation and country than any which had ever been proposed or suggested."
John Adams
First Inaugural Address
March 04, 1797
"Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism."
~George Washington; Farewell Address, September 17, 1796
