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Fisher Ames Quotes
1758–1808 United States
Fisher Ames (April 19, 1758 – July 4, 1808) was a Representative in the United States Congress from the 1st Congressional District of Massachusetts. He was an important leader of the Federalist Party in the House, and was noted for his oratorical skill.
United States Lawyers Politicians Also known as: Ames, Fisher
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11 quotes
I consider biennial elections as a security that the sober, second thought of the people shall be law.
The gentleman puts me in mind of an old hen which persists in setting after her eggs are taken away.
Memoirs of Theophilus Parsons (1859)
Liberty has never yet lasted long in a democracy; nor has it ever ended in any thing better than despotism.
American Literature (1805)
The known propensity of a democracy is to licentiousness, which the ambitious call, and the ignorant believe to be, liberty.
The Dangers of American Liberty (1805)
The rights of conscience, of bearing arms, of changing the government, are declared to be inherent in the people. Freedom of the press, too.
[The framers of the Constitution] “intended our government should be a republic, which differs more widely from a democracy than a democracy from a despotism.”
The House is composed of very good men, not shining, but honest and reasonably well-informed, and in time they will be found to improve, and not to be much inferior in eloquence, science, and dignity, to the British Commons. They are patriotic enough, and I believe there are more stupid (as well as more shining) people in the latter, in proportion.
Why then, if these books for children must be retained, as they will be, should not the bible regain the place it once held as a school book ? Its morals are pure, its examples captivating and noble. The reverence for the sacred book, that is thus early impressed, lasts long; and, probably, if not impressed in infancy, never takes firm hold of the mind.
It was said by Fisher Ames that “falsehood proceeds from Maine to Georgia, while truth is pulling on his boots”.
Attributed
“But differ greatly in the sequel.” --Fisher Ames, when confronted with the declaration that all men are created equal
Attributed
Fisher Ames expressed the popular security more wisely, when he compared a monarchy and a republic, saying, "that a monarchy is a merchantman, which sails well, but will sometimes strike on a rock, and go to the bottom; whilst a republic is a raft, which would never sink, but then your feet are always in water."
Attributed
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