Alexander HamiltonAlexander Hamilton, (1757-1804) American statesman, Secretary of the Treasury

Alexander Hamilton Quote

“Every individual of the community at large has an equal right to the protection of government.”

Alexander HamiltonAlexander Hamilton
~ Alexander Hamilton

Speech, Constitutional Convention, 29 June 1787

Ratings and Comments


Mike, Norwalk

That includes protection against: a progressive theft from rich and poor, compelled compliance, victimless crimes, entitlements/licenses (titles of nobility) etc.

Joe, Rochester, MI

What about protection FROM government, i.e. the IRS?

E Archer, NYC

Yes, how noble. Even in 1787 America's wonderful ideals only applied to white, male, property owners. We still have a ways to go.

Ken, Allyn, WA

Those ideals applied, and do apply, to everyone. They always have and always will. That is why they are "ideal". It is the law that did not apply equally to everyone because human beings and their governments are imperfect. It is our individual duty to strive for the perfect society even though we will never reach it.

David L. Rosenthal

Nicely put, Ken.

Mike, Norwalk

What did you do with the Archer that normally writes intelligent and accurate lyric. 1787 ideals statutorily set time restraints on slavery, property ownership, and other maladies as are understand by today's standards. The founders were establishing new ground. Certain foundational principles were understood and placed into the Constitution. Application of those principles were another issue all together. One reason for the antiquated application was the family, being the primary unit of society (property being a standard to measure sustainable sovereignty), could be represented by a single vote. Such application did not adequately represent the multiplicity of the human experience or the individual sovereign so it was ultimately modified.

E Archer, NYC

I am just trying to remind folks that each declaration from the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution on has yet to be realized. Hamilton was a defender of the aristocracy and was one of those that instituted the First National Bank -- which Jefferson killed when he took office. High sounding words, yet still quite a bit of hypocrisy. We still have a ways to go before we actually achieve the noble ideals of these declarations of the People.

CHICKEN, GA

CHICKEN LICKER

krystal santoy, weslaco

it wasn't that bad

M Smith, Meadville

Archer, Hamilton was one of the first hi-profile abolitionists. As an attorney he often defended the indigent. There is a the misconception that Hamilton was an aristocrat due to the form of government he supported. This could not be further from the truth. One need look only so far as his status at birth and subsequent actions as both a public and private citizen.

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