“A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both.”

–James Madison, letter to W.T. Barry [ August 4, 1822]

Found in Platt, S. (Ed.). (1989). Respectfully quoted: A dictionary of quotations requested from the Congressional Research Service. Washington, DC: Library of Congress

I hope you had a safe and happy July 4th!