FFQF: Alexander Hamilton on Rights
For the past several weeks, I and those participating in this month’s Founding Fathers’ Quote Friday meme, have been dealing with the subject of the (late great) Bill of Rights. We have been approaching that subject from the angle that the reason for its demise has simply been the ignorance and complacency of the people. My friend Jean has just posted about the importance for people to know their rights, and not to be intimidated by the government. My friend Cato has also posed the suggestion that in stead of the Pledge of Allegiance schoolchildren and public officials ought to recite the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights at the beginning of each workday. Also, my friend Jon-Paul who joined our meme some time back, pointed out that many people think they have certain rights guaranteed by the law (such as the right not to be offended, the right to “express themselves”, etc.), but are ignorant of our real rights.
Because the people are ignorant (government-controlled schools are not going to impress upon its students the value of their rights, the protection that the laws of the land give them from their government, and their solemn and sacred duty to defend their laws and their rights), many of those who have assumed government office on the local, state, and federal level are also shamefully ignorant. Polls again and again show (I suppose I don’t need to mention the status-quo policies of the government for decades, do I?) how ignorant and/or indifferent our public officials are of our laws, of their limits, and their duties.
But how many people know? And in comparison to that amount, how many people care? Our culture is a pleasure-seeking one, by and large. And each passing generation seems to be more and more entertainment-oriented. Of course, much of our entertainment is mindless drivel, or downright filthy. I’m appalled at some of the things our culture seems to tolerate as “funny” or “entertaining.”
Should we be surprised that in a culture filled with frivolity and impurity that our national IQ goes down considerably? That the conscience of our culture has been seared? That we are habitually complacent about the things that matter? We are dumbed and numbed, and we have willingly accepted this condition of slavery that has been gradually tightening its grip on our lives, for temporal pleasure.
Here is what Founding Father Alexander Hamilton had to say about that.
Mental debasement is the greatest misfortune that can befall a people. The most pernicious of conquests which a state can experience is a conquest over that elevated sense of its own rights, which inspires a due sensibility to insult and injury, over that virtuous pride of character which prefers any peril or sacrifice to a final submission to oppression, and which regards national ignominy as the greatest of national calamities. The nation, which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a Master and deserves one.
“The Warning No. III” New York, February 21, 1797 (emphasis original)
Ouch. I guess our infatuation with celebrities and sports and entertainment hasn’t been so worth it after all.
6 Responses to “FFQF: Alexander Hamilton on Rights”
February 20th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Woah, that’s a great quote, Herky, and sadly, too true.
And while you rightly point out that our public officials are often ignorant or indifferent to our laws, I think in many case they arrogantly feel that they are above the law.
If they had any fear of the Ultimate Lawgiver, they would instead be on their knees.
February 20th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Outstanding post!
But another sad story about our nation and it’s “progress.”
February 20th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
Hello everyone, and thanks for reading and leaving your comments.
Jean, you’re right. As Washington said in his preliminary First Inaugural, no mound of parchment could stem the tide of the ambition and evil passions of godless people.
Cato, it IS sad. Like I say, I think our theme this month sounds more like a eulogy on the late great Bill of Rights.
February 20th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Spectacular statements in your quote for today, Herky!
Your outstanding post of today has teeth; moreover, I find it interesting that Hamilton, Madison, Adams, et.al., found the condition of society back then, and warned everyone about it!
Btw, thank you for your lovely words over at The Thinker.
jp
February 20th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
Another great post. I look forward to reading them.
As an educator in Florida, I notice that the state (and the Federal No Child Left Behind Act) emphasize math, english, and science in the state-wide tests and the national school ranking system.
However, all they do is TALK about Civics, knowing one’s responsibilites as a citizen, etc.
Hummmm. And all the while the kids (and their parents) talk of their rights – gay rights, free speech (swearing at the teacher) rights, and right to aggressive behavior (he IS attention deficiet, after all…), having no thought or consideration as to what ‘rights’ really are – thanks to politicans and news media and (sadly yes) the schools systems.
Guess I wandered on long enough. Just want to say you are right on the mark in your blog.
February 21st, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Hello Jon-Paul and Mike B. Thanks for taking the time to read and leave your comments.
Thanks for your kind compliments.
Jon-Paul, I find it interesting myself. I think that their knowledge of history and their understanding of the Scriptures gave them an insight to human nature which helped them to discern their own times, and predict the repercussions certain actions and conditions would have on the future.
Your welcome for mentioning you blog. My pleasure.
Mike, thanks for taking the time to read my humble blog. It really means a lot to me that you take the time to do it and leave your comment.
I live in New York, where the same kind of things happen, so I completely understand. It seems that our nation has not really learned the difference between licentiousness and liberty, or how dangerous licentiousness is. And when people realize that liberty involves a considerable deal of responsibility and virtue, most people (it seems; I hope I’m wrong) don’t want to bother. They are happy with their TV and sports, or the other things that occupy their lives — until the government comes to take all that away to fight its wars, etc.
Thanks again for taking the time. I haven’t had much time to read blogs (or to write articles on my own, for that matter!), but as soon as I do, I will take advantage of the great wealth of historical information on your blogs. I’m adding you to my blogroll.
Have a great weekend.
Hercules Mulligan
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