“ONLY A VIRTUOUS PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF FREEDOM.” Thomas Jefferson
The principles of freedom 101
Yesterday, I read the book, The 5000 Year Leap,’ by historian W. Cleon Skousen. In fact, I couldn’t put it down. It’s a documentary of the principles of freedom. I was spellbound, speechless and tearful during much of the book. I certainly want my posterity to understand the sacrifices our Founding Fathers endured in preparing the foundation for freedom.
It documents the courses of action our forefathers took in creating the foundation of our country. I am convinced that if our youth are taught the history of our Constitution and the Bill of Rights in depth, they would hold the American flag in the highest esteem, have more integrity in our country and a much greater sense of what it means to be an American!
To set the stage, history documents that Thomas Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence; James Madison was the father of the Constitution; George Mason was the author of the first American Bill of Rights and we know that George Washington was the hero of the war for Independence and the first president of our country. These men “sacrifice everything” to bring to light the possibility of freedom, liberty and justice for all.
I will share only a few historical insights into the lives of these men and their missions to design a nation of peace and prosperity, and I suggest the book as a must read for anyone who considers themselves to be an American. It sheds light on historical facts that many politicians would like to keep in the dark.
These incredibly devoted ‘Founding Fathers’ spent four long months stitching together the very fibers of this country. Their political yardstick: “Communism and Socialism” on the far left and “Fascism and Dictatorship” on far right. By defining these two entities, they were clearly able to create the “balanced center” and establish a “Republic of One Nation Under God.” That’s right, its important to remember this country is a Republic and not a democracy. Their main course of action was establishing a government that served the people with the power belonging to the people!”
Our Founders studied the history of the ancient Israelites and the Anglo-Saxons. Why these two civilizations? Because their peaceful existence and high standards are historical. Their laws were based on the first principles of Moses recored in the book of Deuteronomy.’ Thomas Hooker wrote, “The Fundamental Orders were bases on the first principles of Moses with the first fundamental principle set up as the commonwealth of freemen.”
It is recorded that they were also impressed to learn that whenever the Israelites fell into the temptation to have slaves or bond-servants, they were reprimanded. It’s recorded in 600 B.C. by Jeremiah: “Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty to every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbor: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 34:17
They believed in the calling to serve without renumeration. Benjamin Franklin, who assisted in drafting the Constitution, warned of politicians for profit when he said, “...we must not sow the seeds of contention, faction, and tumult, by making our posts of honor a place of profit.” I think about our politicians today asking to raise, their already outrageous salaries, as they contrive to increase taxes.
That’s right, our Founding Fathers were not paid for their services. They believed it an honor and privilege. Many of these men including, James Madison, were living off borrowed funds during the four months assembled in preparing the Constitution. These were men who believed, “here lies the greatest sense of responsibility and duty.”
When George Washington served as general of the Continental army, the common fare for solders for six weeks was flour, water, and salt. In fighting the British, Washington, lost approximately 200 officers and 3,000 men - who abandoned in the line of duty. He went on to lead his men to victory over the powerful British troops. History preserves his great insight and leadership qualities during the war. Upon returning to Mt. Vernon, he found his home in desperate need of repair, yet refused to take a salary during his term as president. These men dedicated their lives to provide a better future for their fellowman and our posterity.
Their insights and inspiration protected the people of this country from destruction, as long as the people remained faithful to the laws and structure of the Constitution. They were deeply concerned about the “Drift toward a Collectivist Left.” They warned against, “a number of temptations which might lure generations to abandon their freedoms and their rights by subjecting themselves to a strong federal administration operating on the collective left,” that of socialism. They warned against, what they referred to as the “Welfare State,” where the government endeavors to take care of everyone from the cradle to the grave. Sound familiar, perhaps they had premonitions of the future!
Thomas Jefferson said, “If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people, under the pretense of taking care of them, they will become happy.”
Our Founding Fathers warned against confiscatory taxation and deficit spending. It was Jefferson who said, “ It is immoral for one generation to pass on the results of its extravagance in the form or debt to the next generation. We shall consider ourselves unauthorized to saddle posterity with our debts, and morally bound to pay them ourselves within what may be deemed the period of a generation.’’
Our Founding Fathers also warned, “The only way for the nation to prosper is to have equal protection of rights and not for the government to get involved in trying to provide equal distribution of things.” One would conclude they had divine inspiration and direction in their thoughts to preserve this country.
Samuel Adams stated, “We have done everything possible to make the ideas of socialism and communism unconstitutional. These are Utopian schemes of leveling (redistribution of wealth) which are arbitrary, despotic and, in our government, unconstitutional.”
Before completing the Constitution, our Founding Fathers relied heavily on the teachings of Marcus Tullius Cicero 63 B.C., philosopher, politician, lawyer, orator, political theorist, consul, and constitutionalist of the Roman empire. One of the highest respected men of counsel. Cicero believed in “freedom” - the very freedom that was later taken away from him for opposing the draft of dictatorship.
Our Founding Fathers relied on Cicero teachings and landmark books on the Republic and the Law. Cicero based his studies around the “Natural Law” or law of Moses. This is what our Founding Fathers used to draft the foundation of the constitution. Cicero determined that. “The only reliable bases for sound government and just human relations is Natural Law.” Cicero cut sharply through the errors of Plato and Aristotle to discover the touchstone of good laws, sound government, and the long-range formula for happy human relations by the implementation of the “Natural Law.”
The principles of Natural Law is recognizing and identifying the rules of “right conduct” with the Law of the Supreme Creator of the universe. This law, also known as Moses’ Law or the Ten Commandments concluded that once the reality of the Creator is clearly identified in the mind, the only intelligent approach to government, justice, and human relations is in terms of the laws which the Supreme Creator has already established.
Cicero concluded that the Natural Law is the true law. “True law is right reason in agreement with nature, it’s of universal application, unchanging and everlasting. It summons to duty by its commands, an averts its wrongdoings by its prohibitions. It’s a sin to try to alter this law, nor is it allowable to repeal any part of it. We cannot be freed from its obligations by senate or people, and we need not look outside ourselves for an expounder or interpreter of it. There will be one master and ruler, that is God.”
Our Founding Fathers concluded that the Natural Law that Cicero sustained, is eternal and the base of goodness. The Founders determined that the Natural Law is basic in principle, comprehensible to the human mind, and totally correct and morally right in its general operation. Cicero also stated, “Man is the only animal that shares reason and thought. Reason, when fully grown and perfected, is rightly called wisdom.”
It might be surprising to lean that the Constitution is based on the Ten Commandment and the Natural Laws of God. When writing the Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson wrote, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” (Pre-suppositions under the principles of Natural law.)
The second principle: Our Founding Fathers determined that a corrupt and selfish people could never make the principles of a Republicanism operate successfully. Benjamin Franklin wrote, “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. A free people cannot survive under a Republic unless they remain virtuous and morally strong.”
And George Washington praised the American Constitution when he said, “It is a palladium of human rights, but it shall only survive as long as there remain any virtue in the body of the people.”
Reflect a moment on what Samuel Adams, George Washington, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, George Mason and the others fine patriotic contributors might feel looking upon our dispensation. The reality in how these men sacrificed and struggled to set up the foundation of this country - only to see it becoming defiled by the lack of virtue and ignorance.
Samuel Adams that wrote, “I thank God that I have lived to see my country independent and free. She may long enjoy her independence and freedom if she will. It depends on her virtue.”
Written by, Linda Sumer Urza for onefineday11.blogspot.com
