FFQF: Virtue Extravaganza

See what’s up with today’s FFQF at Meet the Founders blog

For this the final day of “virtue” as the topic for this month’s FFQF, I couldn’t choose just one. I decided to post a whole bunch of quotes! I don’t know about you, but I am savoring every word from these wise men.

Virtue toward the Constitution:

“No legislative act contrary to the Constitution can be valid. To deny this would be to affirm that the deputy (agent) is greater than his principal; that the servant is above the master; that the representatives of the people are superior to the people; that men, acting by virtue of powers may do not only what their powers do not authorize, but what they forbid. It is not to be supposed that the Constitution could intend to enable the representatives of the people to substitute their will to that of their constituents. A Constitution is, in fact, and must be regarded by judges as fundamental law. If there should happen to be a irreconcilable variance between the two, the Constitution is to be preferred to the statute.” Alexander Hamilton

Electing virtuous candidates for office:

“In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate — look to his character….” Noah Webster

Necessity of a virtuous people to maintain free government:

“It is certainly true that a popular government cannot flourish without virtue in the people.” Richard Henry Lee

The virtue of eternal vigilance under a free government:

“Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories.” Thomas Jefferson

Virtue is the primary ingredient and main support of free government. George Washington said it best, I think:

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. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity.

Let it simply be asked: 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. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?

…Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its Virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices?

Hey, did you know that for centuries, American schoolchildren were required to memorize Washington’s Farewell Address? This hasn’t been done in schools since.. well, since about the time that virtue and morality have taken a national nosedive! Now, why is that, I wonder?