The freedom of the press is one of the great bulwarks of liberty, and can never be restrained but by despotic governments.

Slavery discourages arts and manufacturing ...[and] every master of slaves is born a petty tyrant.

There is a Passion natural to the Mind of man, especially a free Man, which renders him impatient of Restraint.

Who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers. But I cannot say who will be the militia of the future day. If that paper on the table [the Constitution] gets no alteration, the militia of the future day may not consist of all classes, high and low, and rich and poor.

To disarm the people... was the best and most effectual way to enslave them.

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

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.