“A people desirous to preserve their freedom cannot be too jealous in watching the encroachment of a centralizing spirit.”
p. 20 https://books.google.com/books?id=4VUBAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA20
Principles of Government: Or Meditations in Exile (1856), Chapter II. On Centralized and Local Administration
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William Smith O'Brien 3
Irish nationalist politician (1803-1864) 1803–1864Related quotes
On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People
Original: (zh-CN) 民主自由都是相对的，不是绝对的，都是在历史上发生和发展的。在人民内部，民主是对集中而言，自由是对纪律而言。这些都是一个统一体的两个矛盾着的侧面，它们是矛盾的，又是统一的，我们不应当片面地强调某一个侧面而否定另一个侧面。在人民内部，不可以没有自由，也不可以没有纪律；不可以没有民主，也不可以没有集中。这种民主和集中的统一，自由和纪律的统一，就是我们的民主集中制。在这个制度下，人民享受着广泛的民主和自由；同时又必须用社会主义的纪律约束自己。这些道理，广大人民群众是懂得的。
Source: American Constitutional Law (1978), Approaches to Constituitonal Analysis
Notes for Revolutionaries Vol 2, Foilseacháin an Ghlór Gafa, Nova Print, Belfast, 2006, pg 65
Speech at the Virginia Convention to ratify the Federal Constitution http://www.constitution.org/rc/rat_va_05.htm (6 June 1788)
Speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention on the Control of the Military (16 June 1788); published in The History of the Virginia Federal Convention of 1788, with some account by eminent Virginians of that era who were members of that body (1890), Vol. I, p. 130 (Hugh Blair Grigsby et al, editors, )
1780s
Context: Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe 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 usurpations; but, on a candid examination of history, we shall find that turbulence, violence, and abuse of power, by the majority trampling on the rights of the minority, have produced factions and commotions, which, in republics, have, more frequently than any other cause, produced despotism. If we go over the whole history of ancient and modern republics, we shall find their destruction to have generally resulted from those causes.
“Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together.”
2009, A New Beginning (June 2009)
Context: People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, and the heart, and the soul. This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it is being challenged in many different ways. […] Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together.
At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (23 November 2007), as quoted in "Listen to the young, says Queen" http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7108896.stm (23 November 2007), BBC News, United Kingdom: British Broadcasting Corporation
2000s
Remarks on the Berlin Wall (10 November 1989) http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/107819
Third term as Prime Minister