James Otis
Rights are Not Gifts from Government
“A free people claim their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate.” That’s how Thomas Jefferson put it in 1774. And it truly stands the test of time. Rights are not gifts from government. They don’t come from...
Today in History: James Otis, Jr. Was Born
Today in 1725, James Otis Jr. was born. Otis was a Massachusetts patriot who many considered indispensable to the cause of liberty. A fiery orator and fierce defender of traditional Whig principles, Otis’ role as a colonial agitator was truly pivotal. As America’s...
General Warrants: Unconstitutional Then and Now
TAC memberships help us produce more educational tools like this. Members can download this video and read the full transcript here. General warrants – the ability to search your stuff for any reason – were a big reason for the American Revolution. FOLLOW TAC:...