The Founders' Speech to a Nation in Crisis by Rabb Steven

Author:Rabb, Steven
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Liberty For All Publishers
Published: 2020-10-12T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

TYRANNY

1 ABRAHAM LINCOLN We all declare for liberty, but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others, the same word may mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men's labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name — liberty. And it follows that each of the things is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names — liberty and tyranny.

SCRIBE In 1761, the Superior Court of Massachusetts heard arguments as custom officials were attempting to enforce British trade laws against local merchants. The writs would provide legal authority for officials to conduct forcible searches of private property. John Adams was present as James Otis contested the writ, afterwards stating that his speech surely signaled the beginning of the American Revolution.

2 JAMES OTIS I will to my dying day oppose, with all the powers and faculties God has given me, all such instruments of slavery on the one hand and villainy on the other as this writ of government we now endure. It appears to me the worst instrument of arbitrary power, the most destructive of liberty and the fundamental principles of law, that ever was found in a law-book.

One of the most essential branches of liberty is the freedom of one’s house. A man’s house is his castle; and whilst he is quiet, he is as well guarded as a prince in his castle. This writ, if it should be declared legal, would totally annihilate this privilege. It is a power that places the liberty of every man in the hands of every petty officer. A person with this writ may enter all houses, shops, etc. at will, and command all to assist him. Everyone with this writ may be a tyrant. Every man may thus reign secure in his petty tyranny, and spread terror and desolation around him until the trump of the Archangel shall excite different emotions in his soul!

3 JAMES MADISON Since the general civilization of mankind, there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpation. 4 DAVID HUME For it is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once. Slavery has so frightful an aspect to men accustomed to freedom, that it must steal upon them by degrees, and must disguise itself in a thousand shapes, in order to be received.

5 SAMUEL ADAMS Our greatest danger lies in the subtle and gradual, in the piecemeal approach — by which the foundations are gradually eroded rather than by open and outright assault; accompanied by harsh attacks upon all who seek to alert the people to such danger whenever it threatens. 6 JAMES FENIMORE COOPER

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