Political Quotes

James Beck: “They believed that the utmost concession that could be safely made to democracy was the power to select suitable men to…”

On the record
They believed that the utmost concession that could be safely made to democracy was the power to select suitable men to legislate for the common good, and nothing is more striking in the Constitution than the care with which they sought to remove the powers of legislation from the direct action of the people.
Said by
James Beck
Republican · Pennsylvania

Editor's note · Context

Beck discusses the Founding Fathers' cautious approach to democracy in the legislative process.

Share

More from James Beck

Under the American Constitution, they are part of the fundamental law, and, as such, enforceable by judges sworn to defend the integrity of the individual as fully as the integrity of the State.

gutenberg.org

Its protection should be given to those of superior skill and diligence, who ask the due rewards of such superiority.

gutenberg.org

It did not believe that the State was omnipotent or infallible, and yet it proclaimed its authority within wise and just limits.

gutenberg.org

That vision still remains as an ideal with the American people and still leads them to ever-higher achievements, for in all the mad changes of a frenzied hour, they have not yet lost faith in or love for the Constitution of the Fathers!

gutenberg.org

Other voices in this conversation