The fundamental Article of my political Creed is, that Despotism, or unlimited Sovereignty, or absolute Power is the Same in a Majority of a popular Assembly, an Aristocratical Counsel, an Oligarchical Junto and a Single Emperor. Equally arbitrary cruel bloody and in every respect, diabolical.

John Adams (1735-1826) American lawyer, Founding Father, statesman, US President (1797-1801)

Letter (1815-11-13) to Thomas Jefferson
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