But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.
John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams, July 17, 1775
All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.
James Madison, speech at the Constitutional Convention, July 11, 1787
Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like spirits at the dawn of day.
Thomas Jefferson, letter to Dupont de Nemours, April 24, 1816