James Anthony FroudeJames Anthony Froude, (1818-1894) British author and historian

James Anthony Froude Quote

“English character and English freedom depend comparatively little on the form which the Constitution assumes at Westminster. A centralised democracy may be as tyrannical as an absolute monarch; and if the vigour of the nation is to continue unimpaired, each individual, each family, each district, must preserve as far as possible its independence, its self-completeness, its powers and its privilege to manage its own affairs and think its own thoughts.”

James Anthony FroudeJames Anthony Froude
~ James Anthony Froude

Short Studies on Great Subjects, 1872

Ratings and Comments


KS, Queensbury

The Truth of this statement and the importance of it's message is imperitive to the healthy state and sovereignty of a self governing people.

Simon, Deep cover, BC, Canada

Individual liberty, justice, equal representation, all those good things, are not ideas to be believed in, they are integral parts of the fabric of life, to be lived and practiced and fought for by the common man, every single day, if not, they will be taken away, regardless of the form of government.

john-douglas, nassau

This is why the right to bear arms (and to act in self defense) is a vital part of the Bill of Rights, I see now, in England that persons may be allowed to have guns to defend themselves and their property from persons with malicious or criminal intent. Indee, in the early 1900s virtually every one (8 of 10) citizens on the streets of London carried a pistol - and there was hardly any crime at all. A lesson from history.

E Archer, NYC

We talk a lot about our rights but little about independence. Without independence and self-reliance, our 'rights' are merely government privileges and licence.

warren, olathe

This is the basis of our system. Unfortunately we keep transferring the responsibilities up the ladder. Eventually all rights and responsibilities will be at the top and we will be truly at the bottom.

Bruce, 'Bama

I've been thinking about how much individuals acting totally alone can screw things up. Thus a man on one side of the mountain kills as much game as he desires and a man on the other side does the same thing. They may not even know each other exist. They meet one day and discuss the dwindling game situation, and assuming they are able to avoid killing each other they form a committee to keep track, regualte and make rules on this issue. Thus the first government is formed. Read today about the near extinction of fur bearing animals and salmon in Alaska around 1900. The U.S. government stepped in and eventually got agreements with Japan and Russia and turned things around. It is amazing what people acting in CONCERT can accomplish. If you label this socialism versus individuality so be it. Labels are a problem with me. Maybe this beauty and harmony that people acting together can cause is the reason a symphony orchestra performance is called a CONCERT or referred to as performing IN CONCERT. If we could only see things not solely individually but sometimes as divinity does.

Mike, Norwalk

When the collective, (democracy, socialism, communism, progressivism, etc.) looses its understanding that it is nothing more than a mere assembly of individual sovereigns (defining issues by majority / minority or might makes right), tyranny and despotism are born. When an absolute monarch acts contrary to the inalienable rights of the individual, it is also despotism and tyranny.

RBESRQ
  • Reply
RBESRQ    5/7/09

Yes, yes, yes.

Ronw13, Yachats Or

The fight for Independence reveled itself long ago. More to point were the Isles and their position concerning rebellion, the disestablishing of tyranny. A Freed Monarchy. Declared !! Giving way and the means to further the light of Liberty and Freedom of the sovereign noble individual. As was king James, he knowingly so, did ! Quite the position ! One would be foolish indeed not to think, it exist at all levels of society. Those that want to catch or harvest all the beast of the field and sea should rethink their position. More is not always better. It is easy to see who carries the biggest foot print.

Robert, Somewhere in Europe

We must be resolute in our fight individual freedom - it must NEVER be presumed or taken for granted... We MUST bring back the community spirit and the means to survive, for the road ahead is dark and it will depend how prepared you are whether or not you and your family survive. 1. Stop the killing. 2. Feed the poor. 3. Provided free healthcare for EVERYONE. 4. Find a bit of earth and plant your food. 5. Do not eat processed foods. 6. Stop drinking pop. 7. And, stop supporting companies that support war and killing animals for food, make-up, fashion, etc., etc...

Bobble, No. Ferrisburgh, VT

... and not impose themselves or their beliefs on others." He forgot to add that, so I will.

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