Tyranny Unmasked

by John Taylor of Caroline

Enormous political power invariably accumulates enormous wealth, and enormous wealth invariably accumulates enormous political power. Either constitutes a tyranny, because the acquisitions of both are losses of liberty and property to nations. -John Taylor, in "A General Discussion of Tyranny and the Choice Americans Face" A staunch defender of the rights of individuals and a stout watchdog against rising federal power during the early decades of nationhood of the United States, John Taylor explains, in plain but passionate language, the dangers of the governmental interference in the free exercise of commerce. Though written as a vehement response to a particular event-the proposal of a tariff to help expand industry-1821's Tyranny Unmasked remains a cogent argument today, in an era of powerful special interests lobbying for, and often receiving, preferential treatment from the U.S. federal government. Powerfully relevant, it is essential reading for anyone interested in the economic and cultural health of the nation. The scion of one of colonial Virginia's most respected families, JOHN TAYLOR (1753-1824) served as an officer in the Continental army and the Virginia militia during the American Revolution. A successful lawyer and gentleman farmer, he was an advocate of scientific farming, and was the first president of the Virginia Agricultural Society. He served in the Virginia state legislature in the 1780s and 1790s and as U.S. Senator for the state through much of the early 19th century.

Genres: Politics, American, American History, Philosophy, History, Economics

316 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1821

About the author

John Taylor (December 19, 1753 – August 21, 1824) usually called John Taylor of Caroline was a politician and writer. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates (1779–81, 1783–85, 1796–1800) and in the United States Senate (1792–94, 1803, 1822–24). He wrote several books on politics and agriculture. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat and his works provided inspiration to the later states' rights and libertarian movements. Sheldon and Hill (2008) locate Taylor at the intersection of republicanism and classical liberalism. They see his position as a "combination of a concern with Lockean natural rights, freedom, and limited government along with a classical interest in strong citizen participation in rule to prevent concentrated power and wealth, political corruption, and financial manipulation"

Reviews

[Tony Genualdi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a master work in defense of liberty and limited government. John Taylor had written this to fight against what he felt was an unjust tariff in the early 1820's, and went on in the third section, to warn us today of what abuses government can make us suffer under. He warns of Supreme Courts making laws, and of the two-party system, which existed even in his day, when he penned this work. Taylor warns us of following the English example in many things, such as too powerful magistrates, and of the need for the states to defend their liberty jealously against federal encroachments. He goes on to warn the voters not to let themselves be deceived by flattery into giving up their rights to career politicians.
Read this work and remember what he had warned about which is coming to pass before our eyes, and work to fight it.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did they ever here of run-on sentences back then?????

[Craig Bolton]

TYRANNY UNMASKED by JOHN OF CAROLINE TAYLOR (1992)