2 amendment Quote by Tench Coxe
“The powers of the sword are in the hands of the yeomanry of America from sixteen to sixty. The militia of these free commonwealths, entitled and accustomed to their arms, when compared with any possible army, must be tremendous and irresistible. Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom. Congress has no power to disarm the militia.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Essays on the American Militia, 1795
The militia’s strength lies in ordinary citizens armed and trained, making it a powerful defense against tyranny.
In simple terms: Citizens armed form a strong defense.
Key Takeaway
Empower and train local citizens.
Themes
citizenship
defense
militia
freedom
power
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
political
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- community defense
- national security
- civil unrest
- policy debates
Key Concepts
Republicanism
civil-military relations
collective security
Questions to Reflect On
- How can a citizen militia adapt to modern threats?
- What safeguards prevent misuse of armed citizens?
A Different Perspective
Reliance on civilian arms can be unstable in modern warfare.
![“Militias, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves and include all men capable of bearing arms. [...] To preserve liberty it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.” quote by Richard Henry Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4cf/richard-henry-lee-32108_2-amendment_militias-when-properly-formed-are-in-fac_1843730.jpg)
![“When the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British parliament was advised by an artful man [Sir William Keith], who was governor of Pennsylvania, to disarm the people. That it was the best and most effectual way to enslave them. But that they should not do it openly…” quote by George Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ba9/george-mason-8435_2-amendment_when-the-resolution-of-enslaving-america_844300.jpg)
