Wisdom of the Founders

"I am commonly opposed to those who modestly assume the rank
of champions of liberty, and make a very patriotic noise about
the people.  It is the stale artifice which has duped the world a
thousand times, and yet, though detected, it is still successful.
I love liberty as well as anybody.  I am proud of it, as the true
title of our people to distinction above others; but...I would
guard it by making the laws strong enough to protect it."

-- Fisher Ames (letter to George Richard Minot, 23 June 1789)

Reference: Works of Fisher Ames, W. B. Allen, ed., vol. 1 (678)

(Underline added for emphasis)