If, then, the control of the people over the organs of their government be the measure of its republicanism, and I confess I know no other measure, it must be agreed that our governments have much less of republicanism than ought to have been expected; in other words, that the people have less regular control over their agents, than their rights and their interests require.
Thomas JeffersonThe press is the best instrument for enlightening the mind of man, and improving him as a rational, moral and social being
Thomas JeffersonHe who is permitted by law to have no property of his own, can with difficulty conceive that property is founded in anything but force.
Thomas JeffersonI see now our fireside formed into a groupe, no one member of which has a fibre in their composition which can ever produce any jarring or jealousies among us. No irregular passions, no dangerous bias, which may render problematical the future fortunes and happiness of our descendants.
Thomas Jefferson