Fisher Ames
Fisher AmesDemocracy is a form of government which cannot last. It turns into military despotism because the tyranny of the people and that of the sword both corrupt until there are neither men left with the spirit to desire liberty, nor morals with the power to sustain justice.
Democracy is an illuminated hell insofar as it excites uncontrolled passion in man. It rings with festivity in the midst of horror and torture and delights, in man's wretchedness, in the power to make others wretched.
Democracy is endowed with a propensity for licentiousness which the ambitious call, and ignorant believe to be liberty.
The French Revolution is an event where the poor were excited against the rich; which made the rich poor, but it never made the poor rich
Monarchy is like a sleek craft, it sails along well until some bumbling captain runs it into the rocks.
Monarchy is contrasted with democracy in that a monarchy is a merchantman which sails well, but will sometime strike on a rock and go to the bottom while a republic is a raft which will never sink, but then your feet are always in water.
A Republic is a raft which will never sink, but then your feet are always in the water... in contrast a monarchy, which is a merchantman which sails well, but will sometimes strike on a rock, and go to the bottom.
