"Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that
we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom. Congress have no
power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible
implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American… The
unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal
or state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in
the hands of the people." – Tenche Coxe, The Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb.
20, 1788.
Patrick Henry: "Are we at last brought to such a humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our own defense? Where is the difference between having our arms in our possession and under our own direction, and having them under the management of Congress? If our defense be the real object of having those arms, in whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety, or equal safety to us, as in our own hands?" Elliot Debates 168-169.
Patrick Henry: "Are we at last brought to such a humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our own defense? Where is the difference between having our arms in our possession and under our own direction, and having them under the management of Congress? If our defense be the real object of having those arms, in whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety, or equal safety to us, as in our own hands?" Elliot Debates 168-169.
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