Time to Reclaim Virtue, Liberty

It is the testimony of history that, as the power of government increases, freedoms of the people decrease until liberty is lost. In 1776, Colonial Americans declared their independence from Great Brittan and fought to break the power of the British Crown over their lives. They succeeded and established the United States of America as a constitutional republic.

They carefully crafted a government with checks and balances of power, made up of citizens who pledged to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution for which the founding generation risked their lives and their fortunes. Now we ask, do the American people still possess the virtue that will enable this great nation to continue?

Virtue is a word we don't use much anymore. Perhaps we should. But to be clear, we are not talking about chastity. We are talking about a "state of mind" that must be essentially the same for all people, if they wish to enjoy liberty from oppression and the blessings of freedom.

One of the greatest concerns of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, aside from the very real possibility of being hung for treason, was the virtue of the American people. Samuel Adams wrote: "The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy [freedom as] the gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people, then shall we both deserve and enjoy it. While, on the other hand, if we are universally vicious and debauched in our manners, though the form of our Constitution carries the face of the most exalted freedom, we shall in reality be the most abject slaves."

How did the founding generation understand virtue? John Adams explained. "There must be a positive Passion for the public good, the public Interest, Honor, Power, and Glory established in the Minds of the People, or there can be no Republican Government, nor any real Liberty. And this public Passion must be Superior to all private Passions. Men must be ready, they must pride themselves, and be happy to sacrifice their private Pleasure, Passions, and Interests, nay their private Friendships and dearest connections, when these Stand in Competition with the Rights of society."

Lessons from the past are written for future generations. It is wise, therefore, to give attention to those who shaped our nation's Constitution and won our freedom at great sacrifice and risk to themselves. Following the war for independence, an aging Samuel Adams wrote to his friend, Richard Henry Lee.
"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."

John Adams also offered this advice. "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

With wisdom that seems lost to present generations caught up in an obsessive desire for self-gratification, the founding generation sensed the gift of freedom for all depended on a mutual concern for the welfare of all. They understood that the Golden Rule, treating others as you wish to be treated by others, was an essential social formula that assures liberty and justice for all.

Virtue, morality, and religion were considered by the revolution generation to be absolutely necessary for the founding and future of a constitutional government of, by, and for the people. Morality meant being responsible for one's actions. Virtue meant that personal welfare depended first on the general welfare of others. Religion meant everyone was equal before the Creator of the universe and equally responsible to guarantee the freedoms endowed by their Creator.

Our nation today is overwhelmed with people who want the government to take responsibility for them. Our government is overly populated with those who want to tell others what to do. Religion no longer defines morality or gives direction to our relationships. And virtue, well, many believe their private passions supersede all else. For this nation to continue, we must reduce governmental powers, restore our constitutional republic, and reclaim our liberties and public virtue.