Thomas Jefferson Quote

"You seem ... to consider the judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions; a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy... The Constitution has erected no such single tribunal."

by:	Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the Declaration of Independence, 3rd US President
Date:	1820
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Categories:	Constitution, Judiciary, Republic
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That I could rate this innumerable times with unlimited stars and, teach this to the masses so that there could be a re-birth of liberty in the once land of the free and home of the brave.  -- Mike, Norwalk
True Mike. Now we elect presidents for whom they will put on the Supreme court.  -- cal, Lewisville, tx
Jefferson's full statement: "To consider the judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions [is] a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy. Our judges are as honest as other men and not more so. They have with others the same passions for party, for power, and the privilege of their corps. Their maxim is boni judicis est ampliare jurisdictionem [good justice is broad jurisdiction], and their power the more dangerous as they are in office for life and not responsible, as the other functionaries are, to the elective control. The Constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with the corruptions of time and party, its members would become despots. It has more wisely made all the departments co-equal and co-sovereign within themselves. -- Thomas Jefferson to William C. Jarvis, 1820. ME 15:277  -- Mary - MI
Thanks to Mary for supplying the complete quote. I like to know what is hiding behind those three little dots.  -- MM, NM
Thanks, Mary, for the elucidation; not that the editor's editing was intended to mislead, but it's nice to have it all. It IS a problem too many of us too readily accept ( this poor man included ): "We'll let the judges decide," as if (a) there were but ONE "truth and (b) the judges had the ONE wisdom. From "The King and I": "It IS a puzzlement."  -- Bobble, Charlotte
Thanks Mary. Jefferson waxed prophetic as judicial despotism has become a criminal pit of vipers.  -- Mike, Norwalk
Jefferson, our greatest president.  -- jim k, austin tx
I wonder what the percentage would be, of True Constitutional Americans - as opposed by the Sheeple following the disgusting politically-"correct" effluence emanating fom our thoroughly corrupt experiment (in other words, what is our present minority status among the brainwashed masses)? I fear, most American inhabitants (cannot quite grant them such an upstanding title as CITIZENS) are so enamoured of, and beholden to the gov't - they have no residual clue nor sense of duty required to appreciate and uphold our sovereign Liberty. But certainly NOT on this site!? Reply?  -- Mark, Denver
For those that embrace Liberty, the ground is flat around our Tree of Liberty. Nondenominational !! Natural law received, ordained by the Creator. For those that feel the trappings of subcultural tendencies to oppress there neighbor, Let Liberty and Freedom Ring. Wisdom is known of her children.  -- Ron w13, Or
Thomas Jefferson proved that the Constitution is still the law of the land....NOT the judges.  -- Larry, Pequea

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