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James Madison on War,
April 20, 1795
"Of all the enemies to public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be
dreaded because it comprises and develops the germ of every other.
War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes. And
armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing
the many under the domination of the few. In war, too, the
discretionary power of the Executive is extended. Its influence in
dealing out offices, honors and emoluments is multiplied; and all
the means of seducing the minds are added to those of subduing the
force of the people. The same malignant aspect in republicanism may
be traced in the inequality of fortunes, and the opportunities of
fraud, growing out of a state of war ... and in the degeneracy of
manners and morals engendered by both. No nation could preserve its
freedom in the midst of continual warfare."
James
Madison, from "Political Observations," April 20, 1795 in
Letters and Other Writings of James Madison , Volume IV, page
491.
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