Black Laws Dictionary:
the name that is given to the whole citizenry who elect their representatives and public officers amend live within a sovereign state.
Extract from Thomas Jefferson to John Cartwright: “the constitutions of most of our states assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves, in all cases to which they think themselves competent, or they may act by representatives, freely and equally chosen; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed; that they are entitled to freedom of person; freedom of religion; freedom of property; and freedom of the press.”
“the Constitutions of most of our states assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves, in all cases to which they think themselves competent or they may act by representatives, freely and equally chosen; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed; that they are entitled to freedom of person freedom of religion. freedom of property, and freedom of the press.” ~ The Writings Of Thomas Jefferson
Two Treatises of Government, John Locke, Chapter XIX Of the Dissolution of Government
221. “There is, therefore, secondly, another way whereby governments are dissolved, and that is, when the legislative, or the prince, either of them act contrary to their trust.
For the legislative acts against the trust reposed in them when they endeavor to invade the property of the subject, and to make themselves, or any part of the community, masters or arbitrary disposers of the lives, liberties, or fortunes of the people.”
“The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that… it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.” Thomas Jefferson (1977). “The Portable Thomas Jefferson”, p.458, Penguin
“The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves, in all cases to which they think themselves competent, or they may act by representatives, freely and equally chosen; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed; that they are entitled to freedom of person, freedom of religion, freedom of property, and freedom of the press.” ~ The writings of Thomas Jefferson
“All political power is inherent in the people” (New Jersey Constitution Article I Rights and Privileges 2.a
“That is, a public officer occupies a fiduciary relationship to the political entity on whose behalf he or she serves.” 63C Am.Jur.2d, Public Officers and Employees, §247
“That all power is vested in, and consequently derived from, the people, that magistrates are their trustees and servants, and at all times amenable to them.”
Virginia Constitution Article I Section 2 – People the Source of Power
“the powers of government in this country are derived from the people who are the ultimate sovereign.” Ridgeway v The Queen, 69 Australian Reports 484
“People of a state are entitled to all rights, which formerly belong to the King by his prerogative.” Lansing v Smith, (1829) 4 Wendell 9,20 (NY).
“governments are but trustees acting under derived authority and have no power to delegate what is not delegated to them. But the people, as the original fountain might take away what they have delegated and entrust to whom they please. .. The sovereignty in every state resides in the people of the state and they may alter and change their form of government at their own pleasure.” Luther v. Borden, 48 US 1. 12 L.Ed. 581.
“The very meaning of ‘sovereignty’ is that the decree of the sovereign makes law.” American Banana Co. v. United Fruit Co., 29 S.Ct. 511, 513, 213 U.S. 347, 53 L.Ed. 826, 19 Ann.Cas. 1047.