A well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defense of a free state; that standing armies, in time of peace, should be avoided as dangerous to liberty; and that in all cases the military should be under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power.

The augmentation of slaves weakens the states; and such a trade is diabolical in itself, and disgraceful to mankind.

The question then will be, whether a consolidated government can preserve the freedom and secure the rights of the people.

The poor despise labor when performed by slaves.

That slow poison [slavery] is daily contaminating the minds and morals of our people. Every gentlemen here is born a petty tyrant, practiced in acts of despotism and cruelty.

I ask you sir, who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people.

As nations can not be rewarded or punished in the next world they must be in this.