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... and in the process, led you astray, too, Pete. After reading your post, I did a little research on the quote and discovered that, while it is frequently attributed to Thomas Jefferson, there is apparently no verifiable evidence that he ever said it at all!
The first known use of the phrase in roughly the quoted terms occurred in 1770. During a speech upon his election as Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ireland, John Philpot Curran said:
"The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance."
Out of context, I can't tell exactly what he was referring to -- though your understanding of Jefferson's use of the phrase may be what Curran had in mind.
On the other hand, the concept applies equally as well to foreign conquerors as it does to domestic tyrants. So, I think I'll stick with it in terms of protecting our country against its enemies, both foreign and domestic! 
----- jim o\-S
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