I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society, but the people themselves: and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their controul with a wholsome discretion, the remedy is, not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. this is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter to William Charles Jarvis (28 Sep 1820)
(Source)
need the complete letter for a book report due on Sunday, June 19, 2011
It’s cited as “ME 15:278” in a number of places, I believe, but a quick Google search doesn’t find the full text. Hopefully your research-fu is stronger.