And to Virginia governor Edmund Randolph, who also favored a bill of rights, he explained, The human race is too apt to rush from one extreme to another.… For now, the cry is power; give Congress power, without reflecting that every free nation that hath ever existed has lost its liberty by the same rash impatience and want of necessary caution.
In his correspondence with Virginia Governor Edmund Randolph, Richard Henry Lee expressed his concern over the potential dangers of granting unchecked power to Congress. He cautioned that humanity often swings between extremes, and that the current demand for congressional power could lead to the erosion of liberty if not approached with caution. Lee warned that history shows that free nations tend to lose their freedoms due to hasty decisions and a lack of careful consideration.
This reflection by Lee emphasizes the importance of a bill of rights as a safeguard against the overreach of governmental power. He believed that maintaining a balance of power and protecting individual liberties were crucial to prevent the historical pattern of democratic decline. His insights highlight the ongoing struggle between the need for effective governance and the preservation of freedoms.
