The following was written by Dona Baker, State Content Writer for Convention of States Georgia.
“If you can keep it.”
These are the words spoken by Dr. Benjamin Franklin after surfacing from 100 days spent completing the writing of the most important document in American history.
Franklin, (along with other constitutional framers such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay), were delegates to the Constitutional Convention.
Upon Dr. Franklin’s appearance from Independence Hall, he was accosted by Mrs. Powell of Philadelphia, who posed the following question: “What will we have, Dr. Franklin? A republic or a monarchy?”
Known for his wit, Dr. Franklin referred to the intent of our Constitution, as he spoke those infamous words. The Framers of the Constitution foresaw the document as an outline of the people governing themselves.
Government was to play a peripheral role in setting up guidelines, defining rules of law, giving the federal government the power of taxation, and establishing justice. The concept of people governing themselves would be a fragile one that would require people’s attention in a way no other known government had.
“Only a virtuous people," Franklin declared, "are capable of freedom. One without the other would be impossible.”
So what does the America of today look like by the standards of Franklin and his fellow delegates?
Morality is our most sacred attribute. People cherish their sense of right and wrong. Morality means that conflict becomes particularly complicated as individual morality standards get involved.
Moral superiority and tribalism were on full display in the 2016 presidential election. The moral divide became exceedingly more prevalent as to who someone was going to vote for. Donald Trump did his best to make Hillary Clinton out to be a liar, calling her “Crooked Hillary.” Democrats called Trump out on his many lies but also demonized people voting for him by calling them a “basket of deplorables.”
Morality has become a vague concept. One may care deeply for friends and family but not contribute one dime or second to a charity. Another person may spend their entire life donating or volunteering to overseas causes and yet not exhibit kindness to their family.
Martin Luther King said that respect for human rights is the basis for moral legitimacy and criteria of government’s rightful authority.
As Dr. Franklin notes that only a virtuous people are capable of freedom, one has to wonder, where does that put America in this age of divisiveness?
A travesty has infected this great nation. As we walk through American cities, the dignity of our flag is contradicted by the tragedy of dishonored, homeless veterans, many with mental health needs. These patriots are further victimized by society’s indignation, contempt, and abandonment.
Our morals affect every aspect of our lives: our families, our education, our charities, our religions, our commerce and business, our economics, our laws, our policing and justice, our strategic planning, our foreign policies, and even when, where, and how we wage war.
In the founding of our nation, America’s morality was rooted in the Bible. Americans practiced and enforced their understanding of biblical principles and moral prescriptions with remarkable zeal.
In recent years, however, that morality has been replaced by an entirely different, very unbiblical moral code. The dictates of this new moral code are stringent and unforgiving, with intolerant condemnations of all conceivable forms of intolerance.
The new morality changes with time. What was once unacceptable may now be encouraged, and what was once tolerated may now be utterly intolerable.
The new morality cannot be viewed as a comprehensive, consistent moral code. In practice it operates more as a weapon aimed at one thing: to destroy what is left of biblical morality in America.
Religion secures morality and morality secures freedom. This was the premise of our Founding Fathers. Where is America headed? What legacy are we leaving our children and grandchildren?
We must restore a culture of self-governance in America.
Resources for this article
If You Can Keep It (The Forgotten Promise of American Liberty) by Eric Metaxas
Understanding America’s Moral Divides by Julie Beck
The Trumpet by Joel Hilliker
