Joel Barlow

“Almighty Freedom! give my venturous songThe force, the charm that to thy voice belong;Tis thine to shape my course, to light my way,To nerve my country with the patriot lay,To teach all men where all their interest lies,How rulers may be just and nations wise:Strong in thy strength I bend no suppliant knee,Invoke no miracle, no Muse but thee.”

“It is because the people are citizens that they are with safety armed.”

“How could you fear a dearth? Have not mankind tho' slain by millions, millions left behind?”

“There are many advantages in their being accustomed to the use of arms, and no possible disadvantage.”

“A habitual disuse of physical forces totally destroys the moral; and men lose at once the power of protecting themselves, and of discerning the cause of their oppression.”