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With special thanks to Constituting America and Heritage College, we will be taking part in their project:The U.S. Constitution: A Reader. It is a 90 day challenge to learn and dive deeper into understanding the Constitution.

In case you missed it, catch up with day 15 HERE. We hope you are enjoying this journey to dig deeper into what inspired those who wrote the Constitution. If you are, TWEET IT!

For today’s reading: CLICK HERE

Thomas Paine and Common Sense

We all know and love Thomas Paine, and revere him as one of the Fathers of the beginnings of America. One of his works, Common Sense, he argued for a simple government. And, in Common Sense he used a language much easier for the people to understand. It wasn’t peppered with rhetoric like the other writers from the time.

Common Sense, in Paine’s eyes, was just that; a common sense layout of ideas on the foundations of government. Within the opening lines, Paine shares careful thought as to the origin of government in relation to society.

“Society is produced by our wants an government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices.”

In this sense, it is easy to see that government is a necessary evil. Further in, he offers that this is the “design and end of government; of freedom and security.” And, that simplicity is key – a basic form of nature.

“That the more simple any thing is, the less liable it is to be disordered; and the easier repaired when disordered.”

His order to simplicity is something that is far from today’s level of government. It was something of great concern for Paine at the time.

“The elected might never form to themselves an interest separate from the electors, prudence will point out the propriety of having elections often: because as the elected might by that means return and mix again with the general body of the electors in a few months, their fidelity to the public will be secured by the prudent reflection of not making a rod for themselves.”

Paine’s enlightenment to a simple, self-governing nation, found its way into the Constitution. Forms of restraint, and direction FROM the people were simple ideas at the time.

When you compare this to today, it is easy to see that we as a nation have come far removed from these simple ideas. Sometimes, there is need to take a step back and stop in order to move forward.

(This is just a snippet of a look into Paine’s Common Sense. Please read it for yourself.)

Are you enjoying this series? Please share it via Facebook, Twitter or Email and leave your comments below.

With special thanks to Constituting America and Heritage College, we will be taking part in their project:The U.S. Constitution: A Reader. It is a 90 day challenge to learn and dive deeper into understanding the Constitution.

In case you missed it, catch up with day 14 HERE. We hope you are enjoying this journey to dig deeper into what inspired those who wrote the Constitution. If you are, TWEET IT!

For today’s reading: CLICK HERE

Alexander Hamilton and The Farmer Refuted

Alexander Hamilton was but nineteen years old when he hit the political stage. Quick to offer an opinion, Hamilton’s response to critics were published in the papers.

In February of 1775, in his second essay which he titled, The Farmer Refuted, he wrote in response of his ideas of Natural Rights. It was an idea based on his faith in “the existence of an intelligent superintending principle, who is governor, and will be the final judge of the universe.”

He then goes on to define what he calls the law of nature:

“Which, being coeval with mankind, and dictated by God himself, is, of course, superior in obligation to any other. It is binding over all the globe, in all countries, and at all times. No human laws are of any validity, if contrary to this; and such of them as are valid, derive all their authority, mediately, or immediately, from this original.”

His influence at the time found its way into the Constitution when you look at these two statements side by side:

“Hence, in a state of nature, no man had any moral power to deprive another of his life, limbs, property or liberty; nor the least authority to command, or exact obedience from him.”

And the opening lines of the Constitution:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Furthermore, Hamilton states that “the principal aim of society is to protect individuals, in the enjoyment of those absolute rights, which were vested in them by the immutable laws of nature; but which could not be preserved, in peace, without that mutual assistance, and intercourse, which is gained by the institution of friendly and social communities. Hence it follows, that the first and primary end of human laws, is to maintain and regulate these absolute rights of individuals.”

Which, is the very reason for the passing of the Constitution. If the principal aim of society is to protect individuals, then the Constitution fulfills that role. It protects individuals from an over-reaching government.

So, it is easy to see that Alexander Hamilton had authority and influence in the construction of the Constitution. His patriotism is celebrated in many ways, as well as his intellect in works such as The Federalist Papers, in which his arguments for America, and its founding, can further be studied.

Did you enjoy today’s discussion? Please share you thoughts here and on Facebook, Twitter and Email with your friends and family.

With special thanks to Constituting America and Heritage College, we will be taking part in their project:The U.S. Constitution: A Reader. It is a 90 day challenge to learn and dive deeper into understanding the Constitution.

In case you missed it, catch up with day 13 HERE. We hope you are enjoying this journey to dig deeper into what inspired those who wrote the Constitution. If you are, TWEET IT!

For today’s reading: CLICK HERE.

Gad Hitchcock and An Election Sermon

Gad Hitchcock was a witty, educated scholar from Harvard who was highly acclaimed for his knowledge of the Bible. And as controversial as mixing religion and politics is today, it was all too common practice at the beginnings of America. People often looked to their pastors for advice and council as they were among the higher educated at the time.

During the elections in 1774, Hitchcock was invited to give the annual election, which is what today’s reading is from. His influence stretched beyond the pulpit, and he wasn’t concerned one bit because of it.;

His sermon starts out with Proverbs 29:2 which states:

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”

And, it was from this, that he drew his remarks that day.

It’s no secret that British rule tried to stake claim in America. They wanted to be able to rule over the Americans in every capacity. Gad Hitchcock had other ideas. He stated:

“In such a government, rulers have their distinct powers assigned them by the people, who are the only source of civil authority on earth, with the view of having them exercised for the public advantage; and in proportion as this worthy end of the investiture is kept in sight, and prosecuted, the bands of society are strengthened, and its interests promoted. . .”

Hitchcock understood, in obvious fashion, that powers to government were to be limited, and that only a Higher Authority could lead in a Natural way. He also possessed an understanding that by Nature, all men were equal.

“In a state of nature men are equal, exactly on a par in regard to authority: each one is law to himself, having the law of God, the sole rule of conduct, written on his heart.”

Gad’s wisdom on these principles had an impact, not only with the people, but with the creators of the Constitution. Many ideals that Gad shared during his time found a home in the hearts of the Founding Fathers. They also found their way into the Constitution in such that we have certain separations of power and that those powers are limited.

If you enjoyed what you just read, please share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Email. Tell your friends and family. Help teach them so they have a better understanding of the Constitution and its roots.

With special thanks to Constituting America and Heritage College, we will be taking part in their project:The U.S. Constitution: A Reader. It is a 90 day challenge to learn and dive deeper into understanding the Constitution.

In case you missed it, catch up with day 12 HERE. We hope you are enjoying this journey to dig deeper into what inspired those who wrote the Constitution. If you are, TWEET IT!

To read today’s challenge, CLICK HERE.

Today we take a look at the beginnings of Thomas Jefferson and his emergence on the stage as one of authority and inspiration of things to come in America.

And, little can be said about Thomas Jefferson that hasn’t already been said. So, it just may be time to crawl out from under that rock you’ve been hiding under if you don’t know about Jefferson and his influence.

Thomas Jefferson was extremely implemental in the construction of the Constitution. It is more evident when you take a look at his “Summary View of the Rights of British America.” It was his first publication and it helped lay the groundwork of things to come.

One theme, if not the central theme, Jefferson shares is Freedom. He states:

“America was conquered, and her settlements made and firmly established, at the expense of individuals, and not of the British public. Their own blood was spilt in acquiring lands for their settlement, their own fortunes expended in making that settlement effectual. For themselves they fought, for themselves they conquered, and for themselves alone they have right to hold.”

This central theme is echoed when he discusses the use of taxes.

Taxes are how Great Britain tried to get an advantage of power over the people of America. At the time, they had been issuing taxes on just about everything. Which brought about the now famous Tea Party in the Boston Harbor.

So, Thomas Jefferson took liberty to express that America, and the land thereof, was not theirs to have jurisdiction over. Simply put, what was the Americans was theirs, not the right of Great Britain.

He also took the stance to say that rights were Natural and not to be denied when he said:

“Let no act be passed by any one legislature which may infringe on the rights and liberties of another.”

And, that they were ready to establish a union and sacrifice whatever was needed. This sacrifice would soon be shed in the blood of those Patriots who fought for the Union and its Independence.

In the end, it is easy to see the influence Jefferson had. Not only in the Constitution, but in the Declaration to the world that America was here and now.

Did you enjoy? Please share with your friends and family via Facebook, Twitter or Email.

With special thanks to Constituting America and Heritage College, we will be taking part in their project:The U.S. Constitution: A Reader. It is a 90 day challenge to learn and dive deeper into understanding the Constitution.

In case you missed it, catch up with day 11 HERE. We hope you are enjoying this journey to dig deeper into what inspired those who wrote the Constitution. If you are, TWEET IT!

Today we have the honor of learning about James Otis. His influence was key to those who were writing the Constitution, and if you read further you will find out why.

Who is James Otis?

James Otis (1725-1783) was a highly respected lawyer who later became outspoken against the Crown of England. This happened upon them enacting a new “legal” way of going into homes who were suspect in being against the Crown, which were called writs of assistance.

Otis grew critical of the writs. He disagreed so much that he went to court and challenged this new authority of Parliament. He argued that they were in violation of Natural rights.

His five-hour argument was heard by none other than John Adams, who at the time said of Otis:

“Then and there, the child Independence was born.”

Although James lost his case, he some three years later edited his courtroom speech into the essay: Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved. Read it HERE.

The Essay

This essay by James Otis is said to ‘contain the seed of the American Revolution.’ It is easy to see when you consider the ideas that can be found within it. Everything from slavery to taxation to Natural rights to separated powers can be found.

Otis understood that Natural rights were supreme and came directly from Heaven. He felt that of the law of nature salus populi suprema lex esto. Which is to mean “Let the good of the people be the supreme law.” It was an indisputable right.

Also of those rights, was freedom from slavery. He argued that all are born free, black and white. That freedom, he said, is “entitled to all the essential civil rights of such.”

Taxation without representation is tyranny! TWEET that to your friends

That phrase has long been in use. Arguably one of those credited with using it first at the birth of the American Revolution is James Otis. In this essay he says:

“The very act of taxing, exercised over those who are not represented, appears to me to be depriving them of one of their most essential rights, and freemen; and if continued, seems to be in effect and entire disfranchisement of every civil right.”

The issuance of the idea of Natural rights, in the eyes of Otis, is the very foundation for humanity. His relationship between taxation and slavery has been around since the dawn of civilization. It is easy to see without being represented for your taxes, you become slave to that person. Evident when looking at Proverbs 22:7 that reads: “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” It is easy to see that Otis was a faithful man, and that certain principles and virtues were held close.

Checks and Balances

The idea of checks and balances has been around for a long time. Otis expressed this in saying, “The supreme legislative, and the supreme executive, are a perpetual check and balance to each other.”

This very concept found its way into the Constitution. It is a manual for how their powers are separate, and how they balance power. Separation of power is evident when looking at the structure of the American government as it is directed by the Constitution. Judicial, Legislative and Executive all have their duties before them. They are balanced by their separations.

One must not forget that Otis was a faithful man, knowing that God is the giver of Natural law. He said:

The supreme power in a state, is jus dicere only:-jus dare, strictly speaking, belongs alone to God.

Summary

Knowing who James Otis is, and how his essay helped shape the Constitution is essential to knowing how it helped shape the minds of those who wrote it also. John Adams said ‘that he had never known a man “whose service for any ten years of his life were so important and essential to the cause of his country as those of Mr. Otis.”‘

Did you enjoy? Why not share it with your friends and family via Facebook, Twitter or Email.

With special thanks to Constituting America and Heritage College, we will be taking part in their project:The U.S. Constitution: A Reader. It is a 90 day challenge to learn and dive deeper into understanding the Constitution.

In case you missed it, catch up with day 10 HERE.

It seems that we got a little ahead of ourselves, instead of getting behind like we were at the start of this challenge. But, that’s okay. It gave us some time to ponder and reflect what this was all about. One thing that continues to bother us, is that so many people, young and old, just don’t know enough about the Constitution and what the other Founding Documents mean and stand for. So let’s get started.

Abraham Lincoln understood how all these things fit together. It’s comforting to know that since he was our President. He tried to explain this somewhat in a little known writing called: Fragment on the Constitution and the Union. Read it HERE.

Lincoln was a man of faith who was often seen studying in the Bible. A man of few words, he drew these words from Proverbs 25:11 – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” – which he used to describe the relationship between the purpose of the Constitution and the principles of the Declaration of Independence.

The main theme of this writing is centered on the principle of “Liberty to all.” It’s what Lincoln referred to as:

. . .the principle that clears the path for all – gives hope to all – and, by consequence, enterprise, and industry to all.

Profoundly written at a time, much like today, when this Union was divided. Many felt that slavery was okay, and they even tried to link it to biblical ideas. However, the principle of Liberty lit something within Lincoln. He knew and understood that Liberty was Freedom. The very principle which defined us. It is the reason we for the Declaration of Independence. Freedom, or Liberty, definitely clears the path for all. It does give hope. It’s why people want to come here.

So, how does this fit in with Proverbs 25:11? Here is the connections Lincoln found:

• The principle is the word that is “fitly spoken.”
• It is an “apple of gold” to us.
• The “pictures of silver” are the Union and the Constitution.

Are you starting to see it yet? They are very powerful documents in and of themselves, however, when you put them together and link them together, they are profoundly inspired which brought forth this nation.

Slavery takes away those Liberties. Those Liberties are being threatened more and more each day. Education is the only way to combat these threats.

Please share with your friends and family if you enjoyed today’s piece.

With special thanks to Constituting America and Heritage College, we will be taking part in their project:The U.S. Constitution: A Reader. It is a 90 day challenge to learn and dive deeper into understanding the Constitution.

 

In case you missed it, catch up with day 8 HERE.

The main goal of this challenge is not only to learn, know and understand those things that helped inspire the Constitution, but to learn, know and understand the Constitution itself. So, day 9 has us review the Constitution again. It is always a great read, and you will probably learn something new each time you read through it.

However, as long as it has been around people have been offering their take on it. Today, we will just let it speak for itself. Read it. You will enjoy it.

Don’t know where to go to read it? Click HERE

 

Are you enjoying this series? Then why not share it on Facebook, Twitter or Email? Feel free to leave your comments also.

With special thanks to Constituting America and Heritage College, we will be taking part in their project:The U.S. Constitution: A Reader. It is a 90 day challenge to learn and dive deeper into understanding the Constitution.

In case you missed it, catch up with day 7 HERE.

Day 8 brings to light Algernon Sidney and his Discourses Concerning Government.

First, it is important to know who you are reading from just as important as it is what was written. It lays a great foundation for what was written. And in this case, it is extremely important to know about Algernon Sidney.

Algernon was a political theorist and an outspoken opponent of King Charles II. He was later charged with plotting against the King and was eventuall executed. Ultimately, he was executed for his final writing: Discourses Concerning Government.

So, how influential could he and this work of his be? Thomas Jefferson said that Locke and Sidney were two primary sources for the view of liberty of the Founding Fathers. John Adams wrote to Jefferson  about Algernon saying:

“I have lately undertaken to read Algernon Sidney on government. … As often as I have read it, and fumbled it over, it now excites fresh admiration [i.e., wonder] that this work has excited so little interest in the literary world. As splendid an edition of it as the art of printing can produce—as well for the intrinsic merit of the work, as for the proof it brings of the bitter sufferings of the advocates of liberty from that time to this, and to show the slow progress of moral, philosophical, and political illumination in the world—ought to be now published in America.”

As you can see, Algernon Sidney was truly influential to our Founding Fathers. So, now let us take a look at the reading for today. It is also worth noting that today’s reading is just a few small selections from his Discourses.

Probably the biggest theme to take away from the start is that Sidney was a religious man and lead by his faith. He knew that everything was given by God and that He governed the world. He noted that no one man had “dominion of the whole world,” except His son Jesus Christ who was sent here on behalf of Him.

Another theme taken from this reading is that no one is heir to the power held by one man. This was directed to the laws of England, which operated under law that the son was to inherit that of his father. So, if he was Prince, he would late inherit the throne of his father.

The last of today’s reading has a clear message that the Ruler shall not have a power above the Law. He says:

“. . . But nothing can be more absurd that to say, that one man has an absolute power above law to govern according to his will, for the people’s good, and the preservation of their liberty . . .“

Strong words from a man that would ultimately be put to trial for what he says.

This is a profound reading, and it can be found HERE. Please take the time to read and study it.

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