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Quote#Politics & Power

But to establish a positive and permanent rule giving such a power,…

Quote byJames Madison · 1751–1836

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: James Madison, letter to Edward Everett, August 28, 1830, via Founders Online, National Archives of the United States, underlining original.

English (original)

But to establish a positive and permanent rule giving such a power, to such a minority, over such a majority, would overturn the first principle of free government

— James Madison

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