In order to retain the divinely inspired Constitution, the “Miracle at Philadelphia” every generation must be educated in the divine science of government and be vigilant in its preservation.
Key 15 Analysis
After four long, hot, grueling months, the Framers endurance and sacrifices paid off; the “Miracle at Philadelphia” was finally complete. If the Continental Congress would approve it, and if nine of the States would ratify it, the grand experiment in the history of the world-freedom as a nation could finally be tried! Many of the Framers testified that they recognized a divine influence in shaping this new document. Several also compared it to the manifestation of the hand of the God in their affairs during the war as well. These declarations, to the greatness of this new charter for the Republic, are strong evidence to future generations that as Key #2 says, “God is the source of Freedom.”
“It appears to me … little short of a miracle, that the delegates from so many different states (which states…are also different from each other in their manners, circumstances, and prejudices) should unite in forming a system of national government, so little liable to well founder objections.” George Washington1788
The Founders also warned us that in order to preserve the Constitution and the Republic, education of the whole people is essential. It is imperative that every generation of Americans be taught the science and the proper role of government. George Washington in 1796, at the end of a life time of service to his country said, “A primary object … should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? and what duty more pressing, …than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?”
America was going to be different from the rest of the world. It would not be run by a hereditary oligarchy or a ruling class. The authority of the Republic would come from the people. The people therefore, as a whole must understand specifically how and why the structure of the Republic was designed the way it was. What is it that makes it possible for freedom to prosper and how can it be maintained? Thomas Jefferson said,
“Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day. If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be. No nation is permitted to live in ignorance with impunity.” Thomas Jefferson 1816 to friend du Pont
With freedom also comes responsibility. In order to retain a free society It is the duty of each person, to prepare to participate in the local affairs and perhaps higher levels of government. They need to be trained to be patriots and statesmen, jealous for the well being of their individual freedoms and the cause of liberty of their nation. The Founders knew first hand, that it would be difficult to maintain freedom. Thomas Jefferson is credited with saying, “The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution.” And also, “The Price of Freedom is eternal vigilance.”
Like the Founders, we also recognize that Freedom isn’t free. Freedom is fragile and is easily lost or broken. We also recognize that freedom requires responsibility and that the “price for freedom is eternal vigilance.”
Quotes
“It appears to me…little short of a miracle, that the delegates from so many different states…should unite in forming a system of national government, so little liable to well founded objections.” G. Washington 1788
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The real wonder is, that so many difficulties should have been surmounted…with a unanimity almost as unprecedented as it must have been unexpected. It is impossible for any man of candor to reflect on this circumstance without partaking of the astonishment. It is impossible for the man of pious reflection not to perceive in it (the Constitution) a finger of that Almighty hand which has been so frequently and signally extended to our relief in the critical stages of the revolution. James Madison Federalist 37 Jan.11, 1788 (Also Key #15)
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When the great work was done and published, (the Constitution) I was…struck with amazement. Nothing less than the superintending Hand of Providence, that so miraculously carried us through the war…could have brought it about so complete, upon the whole. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney P.L. Ford, ed., Essays on the Constitution, 1892, p. 412.
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For my own part, I sincerely esteem it (the Constitution) a system, which, without the finger of God, never could have been suggested and agreed upon by such a diversity of interests. Alexander Hamilton [Paul Leicester Ford, ed., Essays on the Constitution of the United States (Brooklyn, New York: Historical Printing Club, 1892), p. 288]
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A primary object…should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? and what duty more pressing…than…communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?” George Washington 1796 The writings of George Washington, by John C. Fitzpatrick, GPO, 1931-44 Vol. 35:316
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Knowledge will forever govern ignorance…and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” James Madison 4 Aug 1822 to W.T. Barry
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…I think with you, that nothing is of more importance for the public weal, than to form and train up youth in wisdom and virtue. Wise and good men are, in my opinion, the strength of the state; more so than riches or arms…I think also, that general virtue is more probably to be expected and obtained from the education of youth, than from the exhortations of adult persons;… Benjamin Franklin Adrienne Koch, The American Enlightenment p.77
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The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Thomas Jefferson
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” The most effectual means of preventing the perversion of power into tyranny are to illuminate, as far as practicable, the minds of the people. It is an insult to our citizens to question whether they are rational beings or not, and blasphemy against religion to suppose it cannot stand the test of truth and reason. Light and liberty go together. I look to the diffusion of light and education as the resource most to be relied on for ameliorating the condition, promoting the virtue, and advancing the happiness of man. Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day. If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be. No nation is permitted to live in ignorance with impunity.” Thomas Jefferson to Colonel Charles Yancey Jan. 6, 1816
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Our citizens should early understand that the genuine source of correct republican principles is the Bible,…particularly the New Testament, or the Christian religion.
The education of youth should be watched with the most scrupulous attention. The education of youth lays the foundations on which both law and gospel rest. Noah Webster (Known as “School master of the Nation” published 1st American Dictionary, 1st time English given standardized spelling.)
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“The only foundation for useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion.” Thomas Jefferson
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“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Benjamin Franklin
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There is no nation on earth powerful enough to accomplish our overthrow. … Our destruction, should it come at all, will be from another quarter. From the inattention of the people to the concerns of their government, from their carelessness and negligence. I fear that they may place too implicit a confidence in their public servants, and fail properly to scrutinize their conduct; that in this way they may be made the dupes of designing men, and become the instruments of their own undoing.” Daniel Webster, June 1, 1837
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Free government is founded in jealousy, not confidence. It is jealousy and not confidence which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind those we are obliged to trust with power…In questions of power, then, let no more be said of confidence in man but bind him down from mischief with the Chains of the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson Virginia & Kentucky Resolves Nov. 10, 1798
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If the sense in which the constitution was accepted and ratified by the Nation…be not the guide in expounding it, there can be no security for a faithful exercise of its powers. James Madison
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On every question of construction, carry yourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed. Thomas Jefferson June 12, 1823 letter to Justice Wm Johnson
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Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me; give me liberty or give me death!” Patrick Henry
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