"The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them"

The quote by Patrick Henry means that the people's liberty can not be protected if those in power are permitted to keep their actions and decision-making secret. Openness and transparency are essential for a government to be responsible to its individuals and for the people to have confidence in their leaders. If the rulers can operate in trick without the knowledge of the people, there is no guarantee that they are acting in the best interest of the people they serve. For that reason, it is important that the people have access to information about their rulers' decisions and actions.