Clergyman's

“intended our government should be a republic, which differs more widely from a democracy than a democracy from a despotism.
- Fisher Ames

The gentleman puts me in mind of an old hen which persists in setting after her eggs are taken away.
- Fisher Ames

The known propensity of a democracy is to licentiousness, which the ambitious call, and the ignorant believe to be, liberty.
- Fisher Ames

I consider biennial elections as a security that the sober, second thought of the people shall be law.
- Fisher Ames

The rights of conscience, of bearing arms, of changing the government, are declared to be inherent in the people. Freedom of the press, too.
- Fisher Ames

The House is composed of very good men, not shining, but honest and reasonably well-informed, and in time they will be found to improve, and not to be much inferior in eloquence, science, and dignity, to the British Commons. They are patriotic enough, and I believe there are more stupid people in the latter, in proportion.
- Fisher Ames