Jefferson’s Warning on the Judiciary

The first photograph of a Supreme Court, taken in 1869. Salmon P. Chase was Chief Justice at the time.

Back in 1789, Thomas Jefferson warned that the Judiciary, if given too much power, might ruin our REPUBLIC, and destroy our RIGHTS.

Letter to Thomas Ritchie, Dec. 25, 1820: The Judiciary of the United States is the subtle corps of sappers and miners constantly working under ground to undermine the foundations of our confederated fabric….

Letter to Charles Hammond, August 18, 1821: The Federal Judiciary; an irresponsible body, (for impeachment is scarcely a scare-crow) working like gravity by night and by day, gaining a little to-day and a little tomorrow, and advancing its noiseless step like a thief, over the field of Jurisdiction, until all shall be usurped from the States, and the government of all be consolidated into one.