Frank Church

“I know the capacity that is there to make tyranny total in America, and we must see to it that this agency and all agencies that possess this technology operate within the law and under proper supervision, so that we never cross over that abyss. That is the abyss from which there is no return.”

“The United States must not adopt the tactics of the enemy. Means are as important as ends. Crises make it tempting to ignore the wise restraints that make men free. But each time we do so, each time the means we use are wrong, our inner strength, the strength which makes us free, is lessened.”

“There is nothing more corrosive than governmental secrecy.”

“When the leaders of nations face each other, the chances of peace are greater than when they hide behind walls.”

“If the people are to be the final arbiters of their own destiny, they must be given the facts.”

“The great purpose of the Bill of Rights is to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities and officials and to establish them as legal principles to be applied by the courts.”

“The blessings of liberty are directly related to the security of our Republican form of government, which is dependent upon a government of laws, not of men.”

“We have acted, too often, like a giant in the world, powerful but without purpose.”

“The bigger the government, the bigger the lie.”

“If this government ever becomes a tyranny, it will be in representing the accused that you will find glory.”