"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States. A military force, at the command of Congress, can execute no laws, but such as the people perceive to be just and constitutional; for they will possess the power, and jealousy will instantly inspire the inclination, to resist the execution of a law which appears to them unjust and oppressive."
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Academics from the United StatesJournalists from the United StatesLexicographersAuthors from the United StatesLinguists from the United States
Original Language: English
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An Examination of the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution (1787), p. 32
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Noah_Webster
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Noah Webster
Noah Webster (1758-10-16 – 1843-04-28) was an American lexicographer, textbook author, Bible translator and spelling reformer.
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