FFQF: Alexander Hamilton on Liberty
Again, we take up the discussion of LIBERTY.
The following quotation comes from Alexander Hamilton’s powerful pamphlet, The Farmer Refuted (1775). It is one of his most fascinating pieces, and I have often called it an expanded form of the Declaration of Independence, written nearly a year before Jefferson started writing it. I highly recommend reading this work to gain an understanding of the principles and causes of the American Revolution. Here is one my personally favorite quotes of all time, on LIBERTY.
The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of Divinity itself, and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power.
Hamilton penned these words when he was an 18-year-old student attending college. He was hardly a statesman then. His pamphlet, which he printed anonymously, was so powerful, that it was assumed that one of the more learned and distinguished patriotic New-Yorkers, like John Jay, had penned it. When it was revealed to Hamilton’s college professor (a Tory) the real identity of the author of The Farmer Refuted, he could not believe his ears, and insisted upon denying that it was Hamilton.
An 18-year-old college student, who had not been on American soil a full two years, was able to figure out, boldly state, and (*gasp*) put into consistent practice, something that not even our current administration (or most politicians today, for that matter) done!
7 Responses to “FFQF: Alexander Hamilton on Liberty”
September 19th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
This is one of my dearest Hamilton quotes. It speaks so poignantly and so true. I did mone today, too. I posted another Franklin quote– hope I’m not overwhelming you guys with Franklin! But it seemed so fitting for this week.
Happy FFQF!
September 19th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
OOOOPS, that was me, Mrs. Mecomber, who posted that “anonymous” comment. I hit “Publish” too soon. Sorry. :S
September 19th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
It is amazing that he was only 18 when he wrote this. I wonder if he was in love at the time … that tends to make people more poetic.
September 19th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Hello everyone! Thanks for reading, commenting, and participating in today’s meme! It just reminded me to go around and check everyone’s posts (’tis but another thing to do!)!
Mrs. Mecomber — yeah, mine too! And I don’t mind you putting in Franklin a lot. I must admit that I’m not as much of a “Franklin reader,” so your posts help me catch up!
Jean — amazing, isn’t it? And just think — his education was not funded by the property taxes of Americans! Unbelievable, I know!
As for the poetic ring — I think it was something else. You can always tell when Hamilton was particularly inspired by a particular theme. And he liked poetry. Here is a particular piece he wrote, shortly after his conversion to Christ. Very interesting.
Thank you all again for your input. Off I go to read your posts!
September 20th, 2008 at 5:14 am
The great Americans of this era considered the principles of liberty to be obvious and not necessarily contradictory to Christianity.
They require independence of mind and an environment that encourages you to fulfill your potential.
They are antithetical to the cynicism and despair of modern society, which are characterized by the denial of free will and personal responsibility; the denial of a divine plan; ignorance of the Bible; submission to the morality of the crowd; and the dependence on federal government to solve personal problems and clean up personal mistakes.
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:46 pm
While reading Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, I came across Hercules Mulligan. I did not realize he and Hamilton were friends when they were younger. Very interesting. What happened to Mulligan after the war?
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Hello Dave and Kieran. Thanks so much for leaving your thoughts and comments.
Dave, you are absolutely right. I guess I never thought about postmodern humanism as denying free will, but when you think about it, it really does. It definitely denies personal responsibility. The Founders didn’t base this nation on radical humanism. They based it upon principles that are ultimately harmonious with biblical truth.
Kieran, isn’t that neat about Hercules Mulligan? After the War, he pretty much resumed normal life, but he was pretty active in his sphere of influence. When Hamilton founded the New York Manumission Society, Mulligan became a member. And if President Washington needed an outfit for a special occasion, he called up Mulligan. In fact, when Washington came to NY right after the war, he publicly rode beside Mulligan in a parade, and had breakfast with him. I don’t remember when he passed away, but he did so in ripe old age, and in latter life penned his recollections of young Hamilton.
There is a rare book by Michael J. O’Brian which is a biography of Mulligan. That is where most of my information comes from. I’ve written a little blog post some time ago, on Mulligan. If you are interested in learning more about him, feel free to read and ask questions.
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