Posted by
ValiantForTruth on Thursday, January 27, 2011 11:18:44 AM
"Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it; no constitution, no law, no court can even do much to help it." [James Madison]
Re: http://townhall.com/columnists/WalterEWilliams/2011/01/26/can_our_nation_be_saved/
Our constitution is no safeguard against the tyranny of lawless men. When Madison says that liberty lies in the hearts of men, it is inferred that the heart of man is also the wellspring of tyranny.
How does liberty die in a people that once loved it?
Before we can answer, we must first ask what does Madison mean by liberty, and then we can consider the source of that liberty that wells up in the heart of man that would value it over life, reflected in such words as, "Give me liberty, or give me death." From there it will be apparent how to answer the question regarding the death of liberty.
The Founder's idea of liberty differs from the general idea today. Liberty to them was not licentiousness, meaning the liberty to sin. Men must be restrained from those things contrary to natural law and at liberty to pursue virtue and free to practice natural law unhindered by men or government. This was the basis for their understanding of natural rights. The proper role of government is to insure these rights.
The right to govern is vested in the sovereign authority of the whole people. A virtuous people can be trusted to elect virtuous leaders. Biblical religion is essential for a free people. The authority of God extends over church and state. The Bible reveals His will for men, nations and the church.
Men are image bearers of God and stand accountable before God and His Law, and as creatures they are equally dependent on Him. Men are the subjects of redemption from the depravity of their sinful nature. Self-government is the keystone to preserving human freedom.
A free people understands the doctrine of human depravity and its implications are guarded against in their domestic and foreign polices. This works out in discouraging a citizenry dependent on government except in the case of national defense.
A free people should be governed by law and not by a ruling class. A constitution is a covenant of law based on natural law intended to protect the people from the abuses inherent in government. A system of checks and balances among the three branches of power limit the potential for abuse.
Life and liberty are secure only so long as the rights of property are secure. The highest level of prosperity occurs when the people are free to engage in commerce in a free-market economy with minimum government regulations. The burden of government debt is destructive to a free people.
A free society cannot survive as a republic without its people educated in the history of redemption and the struggle of man towards liberty. The core unit which determines the strength of any society is the family. Again, good government policy guards the integrity of the family against any encroachment.
Next: Undermining the foundations and the death of liberty