Over many years of studying the U.S. constitution, as well as the Federalist Papers, I have sat in silent awe at the brilliance and foresightedness of our nations Founding Fathers. On many occasions, I have attributed their presence, and wisdom, to the possibility that they were actually aliens from another world, or possibly time travelers. What else could explain their observations, and creation of a document, and nation, that is still referred to as “the great experiment?”

Some think our constitution is a perfect document, others don’t. I view the constitution as a near perfect document, as it was composed by humans, a less than perfect creature.

On more than a few occasions, I thought I should investigate who the people were that influenced the thinking of our Founding Fathers, but never fully engaged that investigation. It remained on a back burner, in simmer mode.

Then, in the past week, a major event transpired, and in reading about the constitutional crisis in Honduras, was reminded of a man, and his work, that suddenly increased the heat on the simmering pot of mental stew. In one article, the writer made mention of what the Honduran government did to protect itself from a dictator, and in doing so averted a true coup d’etat, by the socialist President Zelaya. The writer mentioned a body of work by John Locke, which was Two Treatises of Government, and in particular, the Second Treatise. The second treatise is an astounding document of original thinking, influenced by a classical English education, as well as the work of Rene Descartes. Locke was quite possibly influenced by Thomas Hobbes, but never made mention of him by name, and their views were often equally in agreement, and disagreement.

In the last chapter of the Second Treatise, CHAP. XIX. Of the Dissolution of Government, is found the basis for not only the American Revolution, but the dissolution of any form of government, even a monarchy, as well as the situation in Honduras. This chapter also includes language and theory that is applicable to life in America today, as well.

Sec. 222. The reason why men enter into society, is the preservation of their property; and the end why they chuse and authorize a legislative, is, that there may be laws made, and rules set, as guards and fences to the properties of all the members of the society, to limit the power, and moderate the dominion, of every part and member of the society: for since it can never be supposed to be the will of the society, that the legislative should have a power to destroy that which every one designs to secure, by entering into society, and for which the people submitted themselves to legislators of their own making; whenever the legislators endeavour to take away, and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people, who are thereupon absolved from any farther obedience, and are left to the common refuge, which God hath provided for all men, against force and violence. Whensoever therefore the legislative shall transgress this fundamental rule of society; and either by ambition, fear, folly or corruption, endeavour to grasp themselves, or put into the hands of any other, an absolute power over the lives, liberties, and estates of the people; by this breach of trust they forfeit the power the people had put into their hands for quite contrary ends, and it devolves to the people, who. have a right to resume their original liberty, and, by the establishment of a new legislative, (such as they shall think fit) provide for their own safety and security, which is the end for which they are in society. What I have said here, concerning the legislative in general, holds true also concerning the supreme executor, who having a double trust put in him, both to have a part in the legislative, and the supreme execution of the law, acts against both, when he goes about to set up his own arbitrary will as the law of the society. He acts also contrary to his trust, when he either employs the force, treasure, and offices of the society, to corrupt the representatives, and gain them to his purposes; or openly preengages the electors, and prescribes to their choice, such, whom he has, by sollicitations, threats, promises, or otherwise, won to his designs; and employs them to bring in such, who have promised before-hand what to vote, and what to enact. Thus to regulate candidates and electors, and new-model the ways of election, what is it but to cut up the government by the roots, and poison the very fountain of public security? for the people having reserved to themselves the choice of their representatives, as the fence to their properties, could do it for no other end, but that they might always be freely chosen, and so chosen, freely act, and advise, as the necessity of the common-wealth, and the public good should, upon examination, and mature debate, be judged to require. This, those who give their votes before they hear the debate, and have weighed the reasons on all sides, are not capable of doing. To prepare such an assembly as this, and endeavour to set up the declared abettors of his own will, for the true representatives of the people, and the law-makers of the society, is certainly as great a breach of trust, and as perfect a declaration of a design to subvert the government, as is possible to be met with. To which, if one shall add rewards and punishments visibly employed to the same end, and all the arts of perverted law made use of, to take off and destroy all that stand in the way of such a design, and will not comply and consent to betray the liberties of their country, it will be past doubt what is doing. What power they ought to have in the society, who thus employ it contrary to the trust went along with it in its first institution, is easy to determine; and one cannot but see, that he, who has once attempted any such thing as this, cannot any longer be trusted.

These words were set down over three hundred years ago, yet they leaped out at me, as though he knew what our current Congress, and current president, were attempting to foist on the citizens of this great representative republic.

Mr. Locke’s influence on modern political philosophy, had a profound impact on our Founding Fathers, particularly Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson. Indeed, many passages from the Second Treatise are written verbatim in the Declaration of Independence, in the reference to “long train of abuses.”

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.

I find the men we regard as our Founding Fathers remarkable, and gifts to our nation by a loving God. There has been no other nation, that has been such a force of good for so many, all over the world. It was because of men like these, and John Locke, that the intellectual force to seek a system of governance that was equal and just to all men, ever came into existence.

There is still work to be done, to make our constitution live up to the ideals set forth by our Declaration of Independence. We must remain vigilante, and jealously protect our rights, which are God given, and guaranteed against government encroachment.

While I am now somewhat convinced our Founding Fathers were mortal men, born on this planet, the ideas that sprung from them were other worldly, and leaves me to ponder the origins of men such as John Locke.

My sincerest best wishes to all Americans on this day of celebration. May our independence from a tyrant be a source of joy forever, and hopefully never have to be repeated. For other countries struggling for their freedom and peace, such as Honduras and Iran, look to the words of wise men who left this planet long ago, for the strength to prevail over those who would enslave you.

Freedom from tyranny has, and always will, produce heroes.
From George Washington, to Captain Molly Corbin, this nation is a nation that represents freedom and liberty, and God willing, always will.

*CROSS-POSTED*
At Nuke’s and Urban Grounds.

This entry was posted on Saturday, July 4th, 2009 at 11:31 am and is filed under Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.