Elbridge Gerry quotes

Elbridge Gerry was an American statesman and diplomat who served as Vice President of the United States. A signer of the Declaration of Independence, his name is most famous for the term "gerrymandering," referring to the manipulation of electoral district boundaries. He played a significant role in the early political history of the United States. Here are 3 of his quotes:

A standing army is like a standing member. It's an excellent assurance of domestic tranquility, but a dangerous temptation to foreign adventure. (Elbridge Gerry)
The evils we experience flow from the excess of democracy. The people do not want virtue, but are the dupes of pretended patriots. View quote
Elbridge Gerry
What, sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty. Now, it must be evident, that, under this provision, together with their other powers, Congress could take such measures with respect to a militia, as to make a standing army necessary. Whenever Governments mean to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise an army upon their ruins. View quote
Elbridge Gerry