"a decent respect to the opinions of mankind"

I love that bit. The anger and indignation comes later, in the list of grievances, but the introduction is masonic idealism manifested in print.

* * *

Lifted from Patrick Neilson Hayden's blog:

“The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home.”
(James Madison)

“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
(Benjamin Franklin)

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.”
(William Pitt)