[O]ur sages in the great [constitutional] convention... intended our government should be a republic which differs more widely from a democracy than a democracy from a despotism. The rigours of a despotism often... oppress only a few, but it is the very essence and nature of a democracy, for a faction claiming to oppress a minority, and that minority the chief owners of the property and truest lovers of their country.
Fisher AmesA monarchy is a merchantman which sails well, but will sometimes strike on a rock, and go to the bottom; a republic is a raft which will never sink, but then your feet are always in the water.
Fisher AmesThe rights of conscience, of bearing arms, of changing the government, are declared to be inherent in the people.
Fisher AmesI have heard it remarked that men are not to be reasoned out of an opinion they have not reasoned themselves into.
Fisher Ames