But, like all instinctive passions, this kind of patriotism is more apt to prompt transient exertion than to supply the motives of continuous endeavor. It may save the State in critical circumstances, but it will not unfrequently allow the nation to decline in the midst of peace. Whilst the manners of a people are simple and its faith unshaken, whilst society is steadily based upon traditional institutions whose legitimacy has never been contested, this instinctive patriotism is wont to endure.英文原著 · 《Democracy In America-1》
"Chance it! /chance/ the legitimacy of the child? You must assure that, before all things. More terrible to me than all the rest would it be, if--"英文原著 · 《East Lynne》
Finding Duncan unfavourable to his project, Hector declared John illegitimate, and held possession of the estates for himself; and the whole clan, with whom he was a great favourite, submitted to his rule. [Though we have given this account on the authority of the MS. histories of the family, it is now generally believed that Duncan was dead at this period, and that his son Allan, who would have succeeded, failing John of Killin's legitimacy, was a minor when his father died.]英文原著 · 《History Of The Mackenzies》
The recognition, by the Executive of the United States, of the several State governments, on their officers and Legislatures taking the oaths prescribed by the Constitution of the United States, and, where conflicting State governments have resulted from the war, the legitimacy of all shall be submitted to the Supreme Court of the United States.英文原著 · 《Memoirs of General William T. Sherman-2》
The assumption of arbitrary power, in whatever shape it appeared, whether under the veil of legitimacy, or skulking in the disguise of State necessity, or presenting the shameless front of usurpation--whether the prescriptive claim of ascendancy, or the career of official authority, or the newly?acquired dominion of a mob,--was the pure object of his detestation and hostility; and this is not a fanciful enumeration of possible cases," etc.英文原著 · 《Selections from the Speeches and Writings of Edmund Burke》
I have some questions about the legitimacy of a certain charter school, its independence.美剧 · 《Billions》