January 15th, 2013 at 11:46AM
What, Sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty…. 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. — Rep. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, spoken during floor debate over the Second Amendment - I Annals of Congress, August 17, 1789
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December 10th, 2012 at 2:17PM
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, Constitutional Convention, 1787 - While debating whether or not the newly founded U.S.A. should have a standing army or a militia. 

It’s important to note that Elbridge Gerry is the governor who was responsible for redrawing districts for which the term ‘Gerrymandering’ was coined.  
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