Milestone Quotes
One of the most enjoyable parts about putting together Milestone Documents in American History has been reading all the great quotes that came from these documents. (Each entry has an “essential quotes” section.) I thought I’d share a few my favorites from the Revolutionary and Washingtonian eras:
- “It is inseparably essential to the freedom of a people, and the undoubted right of Englishmen, that no taxes should be imposed on them, but with their own consent.” (From the Resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress)
- “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” (Patrick Henry’s “Liberty or Death” Speech)
- “We have it in our power to begin the world over again.” (Thomas Paine’s Common Sense)
- “All men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights.” (George Mason’s Virginia Declaration of Rights)
- “A perpetual peace and friendship shall from henceforth take place.” (Treaty of Fort Pitt, aka Treaty with the Delawares, 1778)
- “It is sufficient to know that all are the work of an Almighty Hand.” (Pennsylvania Gradual Abolition Act)
- “It is proper to take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties.” (James Madison’s Memorial and Remonstrance against Religious Assessments)
- “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” (Federalist 51)
- “It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.” (George Washington’s Farewell Address)
I’ll share additional quotes from other time periods over the next few weeks as our publication date approaches.