FFQF: Alexander Hamilton on Moral Authority
In the last three months, our FFQF meme has explored the themes of liberty, virtue, and the importance of motherhood, and by following that order we have been systematically exploring the ultimate foundations upon which the American form of government rests.
All this talk of liberty (as a just form of government), virtue (as the ultimate life-blood of liberty), and motherhood (as one of the most effective means to preserve and inculcate virtue into society, and pass it on to the succeeding generations) brings up the fundamental question: what is virtue? What is the authority that determines what is right and what is wrong? Do universal absolutes even exist? This meme will explore how our wise Founding Fathers answered these questions. We will also read some of their warnings to us, their posterity, concerning this vital issue.
To start off, we will hear from Alexander Hamilton (you probably guessed I’d quote him again). He was not one to mince words on the subject:
In all those dispositions which promote political happiness, religion and morality are essential props. In vain does he claim the praise of patriotism, who labors to subvert or undermine these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest foundations of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public happiness.
Let it simply be asked, where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of moral and religious obligation deserts the oaths which are administered in courts of justice? Nor ought we to flatter ourselves that morality can be separated from religion. Concede as much as may be asked to the effect of refined education in minds of peculiar structure, can we believe, can we in prudence suppose, that national morality can be maintained in exclusion of religious principles? Does it not require the aid of a generally received and divinely authoritative religion?
It is essentially true that virtue or morality is a main and necessary spring of popular or republican governments. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to all free governments. Who that is a prudent and sincere friend to them, can look with indifference on the ravages which are making in the foundation of the fabric — religion? The uncommon means which of late have been directed to this fatal end, seem to make it in a particular manner the duty of a retiring chief of a nation to warn his country against tasting of the poisonous draught [sic].Draft of Farewell Address for President George Washington (1796)
While this was a draft of Washington’s Farewell Address, and therefore, Hamilton was expressing the President’s views, Hamilton shared them very much. (And besides, if he had not, Washington would not have selected him to do the writing.) This portion of Hamilton’s draft harped on a theme that Hamilton had been emphasizing over the last several years, as the new philosophy of radical humanism promoted via the French Revolution divided America. Hamilton’s warnings to America are very fitting for today:
Equal pains have been taken to deprave the morals as to extinguish the religion of the country [France], if indeed morality in a community can be separated from religion. …
The pious and moral weep over these scenes as a sepulchre destined to entomb all they revere and esteem. The politician who loves liberty, sees them with regret as a gulf that may swallow up the liberty to which he is devoted. He knows that morality overthrown (and morality must fall with religion), the terrors of despotism can alone curb the impetuous passions of man, and confine him within the bounds of social duty. (emphasis original)
The Stand, No. III (April 7, 1798)
That flies in the face of everything our culture has accepted. If Hamilton thought that he was stating radical ideas then, he was certainly writing radical ideas for our time. But radical or not, they are true.
5 Responses to “FFQF: Alexander Hamilton on Moral Authority”
December 5th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
“the terrors of despotism” eeeee, makes me shudder. Why oh why has our country forsaken it’s moorings?!
Good post. Yep, I figured you’d quote Hamilton.
December 5th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Very good article. I went with Noah Webster today, another very outspoken chap.
December 5th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Hello everyone. Thanks for reading and leaving your comments!
Yeah, Mrs. M. The phrase makes me shiver too. But I guess the reason that our nation has left safe harbor in our foundations is manifold. Part of it has to do with ignorance, and on the other end it has to do with an opportunity to gain power. And then there is the fact that man has always been in search of utopia — to enjoy all the fruits of labor and responsibility, without laboring and being responsible. And when they realize that they must choose between liberty and luxury, and that they can’t choose both, they would choose luxury and comfort. So, if you’ve ever wondered why liberty is so rare a thing in the world, that’s a big reason why.
Cato, your quotes from Webster are fantastic. And yes, he was very outspoken.
Thanks to all again. Happy FFQF!
December 5th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
This is a great post, Herky, and I concur with Mrs. M.’s response.
“Part of it has to do with ignorance, and on the other end it has to do with an opportunity to gain power.”
I agree with this, but I think these are symptoms, rather than the root cause. The root cause, I believe, goes back to the garden of Eden. In the final analysis, man does not want to submit to God. Man wants to be in charge of his own life, and then of everybody else’s. If we submit to God and the guiding of the Holy Spirit, then the symptoms are eventually eliminated from our lives. If we don’t submit, then the symptoms just get worse. Obviously, America is no longer a nation in submission, and the fruits of this are evident.
December 6th, 2008 at 3:14 am
Hi Jean! Glad you had a change to come over and read!
I know that these are all symptoms all trace themselves to the root cause of the Fall. It’s kind of the same idea I was talking about in my previous — man doesn’t want to responsible for the things he does, but he wants to only reap the good things. And yes, responsibility involves submission to God.
But it’s this irrational attitude that has come from the Fall. For this reason, the Founders knew that our republic was not inherently eternal. They knew that it would fall sometime, because liberty and responsibility are not inherent in human nature. If they were, we would see more of it in history; but we don’t.
Thanks so much for leaving your comment and taking the time to share your insight.
Happy FFQF!
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