The right of freely examining public characters and measures, and of free communication thereon, is the only effective guardian of every other right. -- James Madison

A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives. -- James Madison

No nation has ever found any inconvenience from too close an inspection into the conduct of its officers. but many have been brought to ruin, and reduced to slavery, by suffering gradual impositions and abuses, which are imperceptible, only because the means of publicity had not been secured. -- Edward Livingston

A frequent recurrence to the fundamental principles of the constitution ... [is] absolutely necessary to preserve the advantages of liberty and to maintain a free government. -- John Adams