Archive for Founding Father's Quote Friday
FFQF: The Humor of Alexander Hamilton (or, of James McHenry!)
Over the past several months, we have cracked open the dusty tomes of the Founding Fathers’ writings, and searched for their wise advice on such subjects as liberty, virtue, and the means of their support. These subjects have lead us to reflect, often with great heaviness, on our nation’s failings, and to the current situation [...]
FFQF: John Adams on Moral Authority
Today we will hear from an address which President John Adams gave to the officers of the First Brigade of the Third Division of the Massachusetts Militia, on October 11, 1798: While our country remains untainted with the principles and manners which are now producing desolation in so many parts of the world; while she [...]
FFQF: George Washington on Moral Authority
Again today, we examine our theme of “moral authority.” Our goal, once again, is to solicit the Founding Fathers on the question of “What is the foundation for morality?” Today, we will hear from George Washington. He is definitely a fitting person to hear on this subject, as he has been called “the Eighth Wonder [...]
FFQF: Benjamin Rush on Moral Authority
Last week we discussed the necessity of religious principle in the people of the republic in order for it to remain free. To use the words from last week’s quote: “Does [morality] require the aid of a generally received and divinely authoritative religion?” It is here that we run into a little dilemma, however. Our [...]
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 [...]
FFQF: Noah Webster on Motherhood
This week’s post will conclude the FFQF theme of the IMPORTANCE OF MOTHERHOOD. And today’s selection comes from Noah Webster. Yes, he was a Founding Father, not just the author of the first American-English dictionary. He fought as a soldier during the Revolutionary War, and after it, worked in the spheres of education and politics [...]
FFQF: Alexander Hamilton on Motherhood
Today, we will not focus so much on the importance of motherhood to good society and government, as we will focus on how our Founders, one in particular, valued the role of mothers and the faithfulness of their own wives to that role. One of the most under-estimated Founding Mothers was Elizabeth Hamilton, wife of [...]
FFQF: Benjamin Rush on Motherhood
Today’s quote comes from Benjamin Rush, a great but under-estimated Founding Father and American. In my humble opinion, he was one of the greatest men among the Founding Fathers. David Barton wrote an excellent biography of him, which is available from Wallbuilders, as a PDF on CD-Rom, or a book (paperback or hardback). I think [...]
FFQF: John Adams on Motherhood
The theme for this month is THE IMPORTANCE OF MOTHERHOOD, and specifically the importance of motherhood to free society in general, and of virtue and morals in particular. In an age and culture where post-modernism reigns and is accompanied by multiple cultural ills, we are constantly organizing our efforts to reclaim our culture, and restore [...]
FFQF: Alexander Hamilton on Virtue
I have to admit, that while the themes of liberty and virtue are terrific, and it has been a thrill for me to participate in examining them along with other FFQF bloggers, looking at how our nation fails to measure up to these standards can be very depressing. So today, I am going to include [...]