American revolution Quote by David Ramsay
““A citizen of the United States, means a member of this new nation. The principle of government being radically changed by the revolution, the political character of the people was also changed from subjects to citizens. The difference is immense. Subject is derived from the latin word 'sub' and 'jacio', and means one who is under the power of another; but a citizen is an unit of mass of free people, who, collectively, possess sovereignty . Subjects look up to a master, but citizens are so far equal, that none have hereditary rights superior to others. Each citizen of a free state contains, within himself, by nature and constitution, as much of the common sovereignty as another. In the eye of reason and philosophy, the political condition of citizens is more exalted than that of noblemen. Dukes and earls are the features of kings, and may be made by them at pleasure; but citizens possess in their own right original sovereignty.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Rights of Citizens, David Ramsay, 1778
Citizenship grants equal sovereignty, contrasting with subjecthood under authority.
In simple terms: Citizens are free, equal participants in government.
Key Takeaway
Participate actively in civic life.
Themes
citizenship
sovereignty
equality
politics
history
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
American revolution:1
Citizen:1
Citizens:1
Free people:1
Freedom:1
Politics:1
Subjects:0
Subjects Citizens:0
Citizens Possess:0
Citizens Difference:0
Sovereignty Subjects:0
When to use this quote
- voting
- community meetings
- activism
- education
- policy debate
Key Concepts
social contract
political theory
human rights
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens ensure true equality?
- What responsibilities accompany sovereignty?
A Different Perspective
Ideal citizenship is rarely fully realized.
![“[Persons] who are recognized as citizens in any one state of the Union [have] the right to enter every other state, whenever they pleased... full liberty of speech in public and in private upon all subjects upon which its own citizens might meet; to hold public meetings upon political affairs, and…” quote by Jack Kevorkian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/103/jack-kevorkian-7173_affair_persons-who-are-recognized-as-citizens-i_1716413.jpg)
![“A free people [claim] their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7a2/thomas-jefferson-43_4th-of-july_a-free-people-claim-their-rights-as-deri_1508457.jpg)
![“[T]he tax code has been piling up, year after year, a symbol of everything gone wrong in America, of arrogant rulers and lost freedom, just waiting for us to pick the whole thing up and heave it away. It has to happen. Free people can put up with such laws only for so long.” quote by Dick Armey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aed/dick-armey-16265_america_t-he-tax-code-has-been-piling-up-year-af_12886.jpg)
![“The important point of this report [Montague, Massachusetts; July 7, 1774] may be summed up in six resolutions: 1. We approve of the plan for a Continental Congress September 1, at Philadelphia. 2. We urge the disuse of India teas and British goods. 3. We will act for the suppression of pedlers…” quote by Edward Pearson Pressey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/708/edward-pearson-pressey-61813_american-revolution_the-important-point-of-this-report-monta_135169.jpg)