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 Taconic
Valley Rod & Gun Club
Eagle Mills, New York
Quotations
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The Price of
Liberty is Eternal Vigilence.
A morsel of genuine
history is a thing so rare as to be
always valuable.
Resistance to
tyrants is obedience to God.
I much prefer
Dangerous Freedom to Peaceful
Slavery
...That these United Colonies are,
and of Right ought to be Free and
Independent States; that they are
Absolved from all Allegiance to the
British Crown, and that all political
connection between them and the State
of Great Britain, is and ought to be
totally dissolved;...
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, and
this is necessary to close the circle
of our felicity.
The Constitution of most of our
states (and of the United States)
assert that all power is inherent in
the people; that they may exercise it
by themselves; that it is their right
and duty to be at all times armed and
that they are entitled to freedom of
person, freedom of religion, freedom
of property, and freedom of
press.
To take from one because it is
thought that his own industry - has
acquired too much, in order to spare
others who - have not exercised equal
industry and skill, is to violate
arbitrarily the first principle of
association (notice that - the first
principle) - the guarantee to every
one of a free exercise of his
industry and the fruits acquired by
it.
I hold it that a little rebellion
now and then is a good thing, and as
necessary in the political world as
storms in the physical. Unsuccessful
rebellions, indeed, generally
establish the encroachments on the
rights of the people which have
produced them. An observation of this
truth should render honest republican
governors so mild in their punishment
of rebellions as not to discourage
them too much. It is a medicine
necessary for the sound health of
government.
Paris, January 30th, 1787 - letter to
James Madison
Laws that forbid the carrying of
arms...disarm only those who are
neither inclined nor determined to
commit crimes... Such laws make
things worse for the assaulted and
better for the assailants; they serve
rather to encourage than to prevent
homicides, for an unarmed man may be
attacked with greater confidence than
an armed man.
~~ Thomas Jefferson
There are more
instances of the abridgement
of the freedom of the people by the
gradual and silent encroachment of
those in power, than by violent and
sudden usurpation.
Of all the enemies
to public liberty, war is perhaps the
most to be dreaded, because it
comprises and develops the germ of
every other. War is the parent of
armies; from these proceed debts and
taxes; and armies, and debts, and
taxes are the known instruments for
bringing the many under the
domination of the few. In war, too,
the discretionary power of the
Executive is extended; its influence
in dealing out offices, honors, and
emoluments is multiplied; and all the
means of seducing the minds, are
added to those of subduing the force,
of the people. There is also an
inequality of fortunes, and the
opportunities of fraud, growing out
of a state of war, and degeneracy of
manners and of morals. No nation
could preserve its freedom in the
midst of continual warfare.
The citizens of the
U.S. are responsible for the greatest
trust ever confided to a political
society.
We base all our experiments on the
capacity of mankind for
self-government.
~~ James Madison
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When the resolution of enslaving
America was formed in Great Britain,
the British Parliament was advised by
an artful man, who was governor of
Pennsylvania, to disarm the people;
that it was the best and most
effectual way to enslave them; but
that they should not do it openly,
but weaken them, and let them sink
gradually.
~~ George Mason
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The said Constitution [shall] be
never construed to authorize Congress
to infringe the just liberty of the
press, or the rights of conscience;
or to prevent the people of the
United States, who are peaceable
citizens, from keeping their own
arms.
If ye love wealth better than
liberty, the tranquility of servitude
better than the animating contest of
freedom, go home from us in peace. We
ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch
down and lick the hands which feed
you. May your chains set lightly upon
you, and may posterity forget that ye
were our countrymen.
~~ Samuel Adams
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Before a standing army can rule, the
people must be disarmed; as they are
in almost every kingdom of Europe.
The supreme power in America cannot
enforce unjust laws by the sword;
because the whole body of the people
are armed, and constitute a force
superior to any band of regular
troops that can be, on any pretence,
raised in the United States.
~~ Noah Webster
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These are the times that try men's
souls; The summer soldier and the
sunshine patriot will, In this
crisis, Shrink from the service of
his country; But he that stands it
now, Deserves the love and thanks of
man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is
not easily conquered; Yet we have
this consolation with us: That the
harder the conflict, The more
glorious the triumph. What we obtain
too cheap, We esteem too lightly;
'Tis darkness only that gives
everything its value. Heaven knows
how to put a proper price on its
goods. And it would be strange
indeed, If so celestial an article as
Freedom Should not be highly
rated.
The supposed quietude of a good man
allures the ruffian; while on the
other hand arms, like laws,
discourage and keep the invader and
plunderer in awe, and preserve order
in the world as property. The same
balance would be preserved were all
the world destitute of arms, for all
would be alike; but since some will
not, others dare not lay them
aside... Horrid mischief would ensue
were the law-abiding deprived of the
use of them.
~~ Thomas Paine
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 The time is now near at
hand which must probably determine,
whether Americans are to be, Freemen,
or Slaves; whether they are to have
any property they can call their own;
whether their Houses, and Farms, are
to be pillaged and destroyed, and
they consigned to a State of
Wretchedness from which no human
efforts will probably deliver them.
The fate of unborn Millions will now
depend, under God, on the Courage and
Conduct of this army - Our cruel and
unrelenting Enemy leaves us no choice
but a brave resistance, or the most
abject submission; this is all we can
expect - We have therefore to resolve
to conquer or die: Our own Country's
Honor, all call upon us for a
vigorous and manly exertion, and if
we now shamefully fail, we shall
become infamous to the whole world.
Let us therefore rely upon the
goodness of the Cause, and the aid of
the supreme Being, in whose hands
Victory is, to animate and encourage
us to great and noble Actions - The
Eyes of all our Countrymen are now
upon us, and we shall have their
blessings, and praises, if happily we
are the instruments of saving them
from the Tyranny meditated against
them. Let us therefore animate and
encourage each other, and shew the
whole world, that a Freeman
contending for Liberty on his own
ground is superior to any slavish
mercenary on earth.
~~ General Orders - July 2, 1776
Arbitrary power is most easily
established on the ruins of liberty
abused to licentiousness.
Interwoven as is the love of liberty
with every ligament of your hearts,
no recommendation of mine is
necessary to fortify or confirm the
attachment.
Observe good faith and justice
towards all Nations. Cultivate peace
and harmony with all.
The General had early formulated
a set of six rules for his military
guidance, by which he measured and
directed the actions of his Army and
followed to the letter himself. They
are:
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Never attack a position in front
which you can gain by
turning.
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Charges of Cavalry should be made
if possible on the flanks of
infantry.
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The first qualification of a
soldier is fortitude under
fatigue and privation. Courage is
only the second. Hardship,
poverty and actual want are the
soldier's best school.
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Nothing is so important in war as
an undivided command.
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Never do what the enemy wishes
you to do.
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A General of ordinary talent,
occupying a bad position and
surprised by superior force,
seeks safety in retreat; but a
great captain supplies all
deficiencies by his courage and
marches boldly to meet the
attack.
~~ George
Washington
In a short time the engineers
returned and the afore-mentioned
stranger with them. They discoursed
together some time when, by the
officers often calling him "Your
Excellency," we discovered that it
was General Washington. Had we dared,
we might have cautioned him for
exposing himself too carelessly to
danger at such a time, and doubtless
he would have taken it in good part
if we had. But nothing ill happened
to either him or ourselves.
~~ Joseph Plumb Martin's
Diary
You have in American history one of
the great captains of all times. It
might be said of him, as it was of
William the Silent, that he seldom
won a battle but he never lost a
campaign.
~~ Von Moltke - Berlin, 1974 -
Speaking about Gen.
Washington.
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Guard with jealous attention the
public liberty. Suspect every one who
approaches that jewel. Unfortunately,
nothing will preserve it but
downright force. Whenever you give up
that force, you are inevitably
ruined.
Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace -
but there is no peace. The war is
actually begun! The next gale that
sweeps from the north will bring to
our ears the clash of resounding
arms! Our brethren are already in
that field! Why stand we here idle?
What is it that gentlemen wish? What
would they have? Is life so dear, or
peace so sweet, as to be purchased at
the price of chains and slavery?
Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not
what course others may take; but as
for me - if this be treason make the
most of it; Give me liberty or give
me death.
~~ Patrick Henry
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Fear is the foundation of most
governments; but it is so sordid and
brutal a passion, and renders men in
whose breasts it predominates so
stupid and miserable, that Americans
will not be likely to approve of any
political institution which is
founded on it.
 We have no government armed
with power capable of contending with
human passions unbridled by morality
and religion. Avarice, ambition,
revenge, or gallantry, would break
the strongest cords of our
Constitution as a whale goes through
a net. Our Constitution was made only
for a moral and religious people. It
is wholly inadequate to the
government of any other.
I must study politics and war that
my sons may have liberty to study
mathematics and philosophy. My sons
ought to study mathematics and
philosophy, geography, natural
history and naval architecture,
navigation, commerce and agriculture,
in order to give their children a
right to study painting, poetry,
music, architecture, statuary,
tapestry, and porcelain.
~~ John Adams
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The money powers prey upon the nation
in times of peace and conspire
against it in times of adversity. It
is more despotic than a monarchy,
more insolent than autocracy, and
more selfish than bureaucracy. It
denounces as public enemies, all who
question it's methods or throw light
upon it's crimes. I have two great
enemies, the Southern Army in front
of me and the Bankers in the rear. Of
the two, the one at my rear is my
greatest foe.. corporations have been
enthroned and an era of corruption in
high places will follow, and the
money powers of the country will
endeavor to prolong it's reign by
working upon the prejudices of the
people until the wealth is aggregated
in the hands of a few, and the
Republic is destroyed.
Prohibition goes beyond the bounds
of reason in that it attempts to
control a man's appetite by
legislation and makes crimes out of
things that are not crimes. A
prohibition law strikes a blow at the
very principles upon which our
government was founded.
Our safety, our liberty, depends
upon preserving the Constitution of
the United States as our fathers made
it inviolate. The people of the
United States are the rightful
masters of both Congress and the
courts - not to overthrow the
Constitution, but to overthrow the
men who pervert the Constitution.
~~ Abraham Lincoln
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The only thing necessary for the
triumph of evil is for good men to do
nothing.
~~ Edmund Burke - British
Statesman 1756
I do not surrender my treasures, nor
do I share them. The fortune of my
spirit is not to be blown into coins
of brass and flung to the winds as
alms for the poor of spirit. I guard
my treasures: my thought, my will, my
freedom. And the greatest of these is
freedom.
~~ Ayn Rand -
Anthem
We sleep safe in our beds because
rough men stand ready in the
night
to visit violence on those who would
do us harm.
~~ George
Orwell
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My disagreement with the
peace-at-any-price men, the
ultrapacifists, is not in the least
because they favor peace. I object to
them, first, because they have proved
themselves futile and impotent in
working for peace, and second,
because they commit what is not
merely the capital error but the
crime against morality of failing to
uphold righteousness as the
all-important end toward which we
should strive ... I have as little
sympathy for them as they have for
the men who deify mere brutal force,
who insist that power justifies
wrongdoing, and who declare that
there is no such thing as
international morality. But the
ultra- pacifists really play into the
hands of these men. To condemn
equally might which backs right and
might which overthrows right is to
render positive service to
wrong-doers ... To denounce the
nation that wages war in
self-defense, or from a generous
desire to relieve the oppressed, in
the same terms in which we denounce
war waged in a spirit of greed or
wanton folly stands on a par with
denouncing equally a murderer and the
policeman who, at peril of his life
and by force of arms, arrests the
murderer. In each case the
denunciation denotes not loftiness of
soul but weakness both of mind and
morals.
~~ Theodore Roosevelt - the
Bullmoose
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