When human laws contradict or discountenance the means, which are necessary to preserve the essential rights of any society, they defeat the proper end of all laws, and so become null and void.
Alexander HamiltonLittle more can reasonably be aimed at with respect to the people at large than to have them properly armed.
Alexander HamiltonThe best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed.
Alexander HamiltonIt is of the nature of war to increase the executive at the expense of the legislative authority.
Alexander HamiltonCan any reasonable man be well disposed toward a government which makes war and carnage the only means of supporting itself?
Alexander HamiltonI go further, and affirm that bills of rights, in the sense and to the extent in which they are contended for, are not only unnecessary in the proposed Constitution, but would even be dangerous. They would contain various exceptions to powers not granted; and on this very account, would afford a colorable pretext to claim more than were granted. For why declare that things shall not be done which there is no power to do?
Alexander Hamilton