"We are told there is no cause to fear. When we consider the great powers of Congress, there is great cause of alarm. They can disarm the militia. If they were armed, they would be a resource against great oppressions. The laws of a great empire are difficult to be executed. If the laws of the union were oppressive, they could not carry them into effect, if the people were possessed of the proper means of defence." | Quote by: | |
Source: | advocating for the addition of a Bill of Rights to the Federal Constitution in the North Carolina Convention on the ratification of the Constitution, in 'Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution,' Jonathan Elliot, ed., v.4 p.203 (Philadelphia, 1836) |
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