Assault Quote by Stephen Johnson Field
“Here I close my opinion. I could not say less in view of questions of such gravity that go down to the very foundations of the government. If the provisions of the Constitution can be set aside by an Act of Congress, where is the course of usurpation to end? The present assault upon capital is but the beginning. It will be but the stepping-stone to others, larger and”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Congressional Address, 1885
Questioning constitutional limits, warning that allowing Congress to override the Constitution leads to unchecked power and further erosion of rights.
In simple terms: If Congress can ignore the Constitution, it opens the door to more abuses.
Key Takeaway
Guard constitutional limits against overreach.
Themes
constitution
government
power
rights
checks and balances
Mood
concerned
serious
Type
political
warning
When to use this quote
- legislative debates
- judicial reviews
- citizen activism
- policy making
- education on civics
Key Concepts
separation of powers
rule of law
authoritarianism
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms can prevent constitutional erosion?
- How can citizens hold legislators accountable?
A Different Perspective
May overlook practical political realities and be overly idealistic.
![“It is by far the safer course to lay [considerations of the future] altogether aside; and to confine our attention wholly to the nature and extent of the powers as they are delineated in the constitution. Everything beyond this, must be left to the prudence and firmness of the people; who, as they…” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e78/alexander-hamilton-619_attention_it-is-by-far-the-safer-course-to-lay-con_1083363.jpg)
