Government By the People
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This I hope will
be the age of
experiments in
government, and
that their basis
will be founded
on principles of
honesty, not of
mere force
....Either force or
corruption has
been the
principle of every
modern
government....If
ever the morals
of a people
could be made
the basis of their
own government,
it is our case"
(TH: Jefferson to
John Adams,
Feb. 28, 1796).
be the age of
experiments in
government, and
that their basis
will be founded
on principles of
honesty, not of
mere force
....Either force or
corruption has
been the
principle of every
modern
government....If
ever the morals
of a people
could be made
the basis of their
own government,
it is our case"
(TH: Jefferson to
John Adams,
Feb. 28, 1796).
"The advantages
of well-directed
education, moral,
political and
economical, are
truly above all
estimate"
(Thomas
Jefferson Aug. 4,
1818)
of well-directed
education, moral,
political and
economical, are
truly above all
estimate"
(Thomas
Jefferson Aug. 4,
1818)
Motto: "Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God"
In the days before government by the people, change of power occurred violently, through
of the mind have served mankind better than battles of might. The real estate of each
voters mind and heart is now the land which each so desperately wishes to capture and
conquer in political campaign.
Thomas Jefferson, our third President, believed in the American experiment. Even as they
exist today, there were naysayers of Mr. Jefferson's time who didn't think free elections,
free exchange of ideas, and peaceful changes of power could ever continue more than a
few years. Ever the optimist, Jefferson believed in the safe future of this new government
established by public will.
Power would never be shifted from one political ideology to another through violence or
force. The days of kings, dictators, and emperors was over in these United States.
Instead, he believed it would be sustained by two basic principles: Honesty and morality.
He speaks from the grave, saying, "This I hope will be the age of experiments in
governments, and that their basis will be founded on principles of honesty, not of mere
force.... If ever the morals of the people could be made the basis of their own government,
it is our case."
It won't be long until we choose a candidate to represent our party and eventually to fill the
Executive Branch of our government. It is my belief that the candidate who receives your
vote should embody, as humanly as possible, the values of Jefferson's dream. The one
elected will actually embody the image of our country for several years to come. In your
estimation, which candidate best exemplifies this Jeffersonian wish of honesty and
morality? Which one will tell it like it is and be open, honest and completely ethical in all
matters of Executive Authority? These are the questions you must answer as we make
decisions that will forever change the course of our very own history.
of the mind have served mankind better than battles of might. The real estate of each
voters mind and heart is now the land which each so desperately wishes to capture and
conquer in political campaign.
Thomas Jefferson, our third President, believed in the American experiment. Even as they
exist today, there were naysayers of Mr. Jefferson's time who didn't think free elections,
free exchange of ideas, and peaceful changes of power could ever continue more than a
few years. Ever the optimist, Jefferson believed in the safe future of this new government
established by public will.
Power would never be shifted from one political ideology to another through violence or
force. The days of kings, dictators, and emperors was over in these United States.
Instead, he believed it would be sustained by two basic principles: Honesty and morality.
He speaks from the grave, saying, "This I hope will be the age of experiments in
governments, and that their basis will be founded on principles of honesty, not of mere
force.... If ever the morals of the people could be made the basis of their own government,
it is our case."
It won't be long until we choose a candidate to represent our party and eventually to fill the
Executive Branch of our government. It is my belief that the candidate who receives your
vote should embody, as humanly as possible, the values of Jefferson's dream. The one
elected will actually embody the image of our country for several years to come. In your
estimation, which candidate best exemplifies this Jeffersonian wish of honesty and
morality? Which one will tell it like it is and be open, honest and completely ethical in all
matters of Executive Authority? These are the questions you must answer as we make
decisions that will forever change the course of our very own history.
| Honesty and Morality The Basis of Government By the People By John T. Lewis February 8, 2008 |