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Government implies the power of making laws. It is essential to the idea of a law, that it be attended with a sanction; or, in other words, a penalty or punishment for disobedience.

— Alexander Hamilton The Federalist Papers (1787)

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More quotes by Alexander Hamilton

As long as offices are open to all men and no constitutional rank is established, it is pure republicanism.

Debates of the Federal Convention (1787)

Here, sir, the people govern; here they act by their immediate representatives.

If they break this Union, they will break my heart.

When the sword is once drawn, the passions of men observe no bounds of moderation.

The Federalist Papers (1787)

The passions of a revolution are apt to hurry even good men into excesses.

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Alexander Hamilton (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.