"The only legitimate right to govern is an express grant of power from the governed"

In this quote, William Henry Harrison is emphasizing the significance of the permission of the governed in a government's legitimacy. He argues that the only legitimate authority to govern originates from the people themselves, through an explicit delegation of power. This indicates that a government can not just claim the right to rule without the authorization of individuals. Rather, it should be given this power by the people it governs. This concept aligns with the concepts of democracy and highlights the concept that the people hold the ultimate power in a simply and legitimate government. Without the consent of the governed, a government's authority is not legitimate.