Who said “The Government of the absolute majority instead of the Government of the people is but…”?

Verified

John C. Calhoun. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceSpeech to the U.S. Senate (15 February 1833)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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“The Government of the absolute majority instead of the Government of the people is but the Government of the strongest interests; and when not efficiently checked, it is the most tyrannical and oppressive that can be devised.”
VerifiedSpeech to the U.S. Senate (15 February 1833) · evidenceMajority
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Speech to the U.S. Senate (15 February 1833).

APA

Calhoun, J. C. (n.d.). The Government of the absolute majority instead of the Government of the people is but the Government of the strongest interests; and when not efficiently checked, it is the most tyrannical and oppressive that can be devised. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/24978-the-government-of-the-absolute-majority-instead-of/

MLA

Calhoun, John C. “The Government of the absolute majority instead of the Government of the people is but the Government of the strongest interests; and when not efficiently checked, it is the most tyrannical and oppressive that can be devised.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/24978-the-government-of-the-absolute-majority-instead-of/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Calhoun, John C. “The Government of the absolute majority instead of the Government of the people is but the Government of the strongest interests; and when not efficiently checked, it is the most tyrannical and oppressive that can be devised.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/24978-the-government-of-the-absolute-majority-instead-of/.