Revolution: When, Why, and How

"Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness."

. . . George Washington
Circular to the States
9 May 1753

"But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations... This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution."

. . . John Adams
Letter to H. Niles
13 February 1818

"Honor, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us. We cannot endure the infamy and guilt of resigning succeeding generations to that wretchedness which inevitably awaits them if we basely entail hereditary bondage on them."

. . .Thomas Jefferson,
Declaration of the Causes and Necessities of Taking up Arms
6 July 1775

"It is necessary for every American, with becoming energy to endeavor to stop the dissemination of principles evidently destructive of the cause for which they have bled. It must be the combined virtue of the rulers and of the people to do this, and to rescue and save their civil and religious rights from the outstretched arm of tyranny, which may appear under any mode or form of government."

. . .Mercy Warren, History of the Rise
Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution
1805

"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States."

. . . Noah Webster
An Examination of the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution
10 October 1787

"[W]hereas, to preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them; nor does it follow from this, that all promiscuously must go into actual service on every occasion. The mind that aims at a select militia, must be influenced by a truly anti-republican principle; and when we see many men disposed to practice upon it, whenever they can prevail, no wonder true republicans are for carefully guarding against it."

. . . Richard Henry Lee
Letters from the Federal Farmer
1788

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure."

. . . Thomas Jefferson
Letter to William Stephens Smith
13 November 1787