Authors:

William Rawle Quotes

The prohibition is general. No clause in the Constitution could by any rule of construction be conceived to give to Congress a power to disarm the people. Such a flagitious attempt could only be made under some general

The prohibition is general. No clause in the Constitution could by any rule of construction be conceived to give to Congress a power to disarm the people. Such a flagitious attempt could only be made under some general pretense by a state legislature. But if in any blind pursuit of inordinate power, either should attempt it, this amendment may be appealed to as a restraint on both.

William Rawle
Gun, Power, People
"A view of the Constitution of the United States of America". Book by William Rawle, 1829.

No clause in the Constitution could by any rule of construction be conceived to give to congress a power to disarm the people.

William Rawle
Gun, People, Giving
William Rawle (1829). “A view of the Constitution of the United States of America”, p.125

Therefore every person born within the United States, its territories or districts, whether the parents are citizens or aliens, is a natural born citizen in the sense of the Constitution, and entitled to all the rights and privileges appertaining to that capacity.

William Rawle
Rights, Parent, Privilege
William Rawle (1825). “A View of the Constitution of the United States of America”, p.80

It depends on the state itself to retain or abolish the principle of representation, because it depends on itself whether it will continue a member of the Union. To deny this right would be inconsistent with the principle on which all our political systems are founded, which is, that the people have in all cases, a right to determine how they will be governed. This right must be considered as an ingredient in the original composition of the general government, which, though not expressed, was mutually understood. . .

William Rawle
Government, People, Political
William Rawle (1829). “A view of the Constitution of the United States of America”, p.296

The most innocent man, pressed by the awful solemnities of public accusation and trial, many be incapable of supporting his own cause. He may be utterly unfit to cross-examine the witnesses against him, to point out the contradictions or defects of their testimony. And to counteract it by properly introducing it and applying his own.

William Rawle
Men, Innocent Man, Trials

You May Also Like: