Brion McClanahan on how John Marshall believed in an "aggressive central authority"

[John] Marshall distrusted the people's capacity to govern and believed that liberty was best secured by an aggressive central authority and not by local or state governments.  John Randolph of Roanoke, a friend and bitter rival, agreed with Marshall on the dangers of democracy, or "King Numbers" as he called it.  Marshall truly believed the Constitution was, as Madison argued in Federalist No. 10, the only safeguard against the "demagoguery" of Patrick Henry and other state factions.  But, he unknowingly set the stage for the rapid growth of the central government in the twentieth century.  His goal was a conservative one - but in the end he only established the precedents for an over-mighty central government that was as subject to demagogues as any state or local faction.

~ Brion McClanahan, The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Founding Fathers, pp. 293-294

Patrick Henry on government accountability

The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.

~ Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry on the right to bear arms

The great object is that every man be armed.... Everyone who is able may have a gun.... Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense? 

~ Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry on fear

Fear is the passion of slaves.

~ Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry on freedom

Perfect freedom is as necessary to the health and vigor of commerce as it is to the health and vigor of citizenship.

~ Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry
1954-1968

Patrick Henry on the principles of civilized society

A great part of that order which reigns among mankind is not the effect of government. It had its origin in the principles of society, and the natural constitution of man. It existed prior to government, and would exist if the formality of government was abolished. The mutual dependence and reciprocal interest which man has in man and all the parts of a civilized community upon each other create that great chain of connection which holds it together. The landholder, the farmer, the manufacturer, the merchant, the tradesman, and every occupation prospers by the aid which each receives from the other, and from the whole. Common interest regulates their concerns, and forms their laws; and the laws which common usage ordains, have a greater influence than the laws of government. In fine, society performs for itself almost everything that is ascribed to government.

~ Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry on the Constitution

The Constitution is not an instrument for government to restrain the people; it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government — lest it come to dominate our lives and our interests.

~ Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry on freedom

Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel.

~ Patrick Henry