The Connection Between Property and Liberty

Conservative thinker Russell Kirk lays out one of this ten conservative principles which says: “conservatives are persuaded that freedom and property are closely linked.” or if you prefer: “Property and freedom are inseparably connected; economic leveling is not economic progress. “

So, what did the Founding Fathers think about the link between the two? They pretty much agreed with Kirk:

…power over a man’s subsistence amounts to a power over his will. - Alexander Hamilton.

The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is no force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist – John Adams.

Freedom and Property Rights are inseparable. You can't have one without the other. – George Washington.

The right to procure property and to use it for one's own enjoyment is essential to the freedom of every person, and our other rights would mean little without these rights of property ownership. – Thomas Jefferson

That is not a just government, nor is property secure under it, where the property which a man has in his personal safety and personal liberty is violated by arbitrary seizures of one class of citizens for the service of the rest.  - James Madison

Basically, if you don’t think owning That is not a just government, nor is property secure under it, where the property which a man has in his personal safety and personal liberty is violated by arbitrary seizures of one class of citizens for the service of the rest.property is a God-given right then the gov’t can do whatever it wants with it—because big gov will then claim that right. That’s what socialists and communists believe. And that’s one of the reasons why socialists and communists don’t want God in the country because one of the commandments is “do not steal.” And that includes political leaders.