HAMILTON ON THE NSA, ETC.

The Federalist VIII
Militarism, the inevitable result of disunion
by "Publius" [Alexander Hamilton]

(from The Debate, Part One, p. 334)


Safety from external danger is the most powerful director of national conduct. Even the ardent love of liberty will, after a time, give way to its dictates. The violent destruction of life and property incident to war—the continual effort and alarm attendant on a state of continual danger, will compel nations the most attached to liberty, to resort for repose and security, to institutions, which have a tendency to destroy their civil and political rights. To be more safe they, at length, become willing to run the risk of being less free.

The institutions alluded to are STANDING ARMIES, and the correspondent appendages of military establishments.