Ladies and gentlemen, unless we improve morals and become a moral, God-fearing, commandment-keeping people once more, we will never restore Freedom. We will continue to devolve into despotism and decadence if we dont turn to God, embrace virtue, and become a principles society. Morality and religion are the principles of free society. Take either one away and the entire structure collapses. We obviously have a lot of work to do, so lets get started. We can start by living morally ourselves. Others will see our good example and emulate it. Thus morality will spread like a ripple through a pond and the hearts of this country will change. Here are a few quotes from our Founding Fathers on the need for virtue, morality, and religion: And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever. - Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, 1785 Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free Constitution is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People in a greater Measure, than they have it now, they may change their Rulers and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting liberty. - John Adams, June 21, 1776 Such a Government is only to be supported by pure Religion, or Austere Morals. Public Virtue cannot exist in a Nation without private, and public Virtue is the only Foundation of Republics. - John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, April 16, 1776 Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens . . . Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice ? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle . . . It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. - George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796 Wisdom and knowledge, as well as virtue, diffused generally among the body of the people, being necessary for the preservation of their rights and liberties. . . - John Adams, Massachusetts Constitution of 1780 If individuals be not influenced by moral principles; it is in vain to look for public virtue. . . - James Madison to George Washington, May 18, 1789 We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. - John Adams, Address to the Military, October 11, 1798 Since private and publick Vices, are in Reality, though not always apparently, so nearly connected, of how much Importance, how necessary is it, that the utmost Pains be taken by the Publick, to have the Principles of Virtue early inculcated on the Minds even of children, and the moral Sense kept alive, and that the wise institutions of our Ancestors for these great Purposes be encouraged by the Government. For no people will tamely surrender their Liberties, nor can any be easily subdued, when knowledge is diffusd and Virtue is preservd. On the Contrary, when People are universally ignorant, and debauchd in their Manners, they will sink under their own weight without the Aid of foreign Invaders. - Samuel Adams to James Warren, November 4, 1775
Posted on: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 01:05:43 +0000
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