"Human Passions and the Constitution of the United States"

Last week we talked about Principles of free Government, this week I thought we would look at one of those principles. We speak a lot about freedom here in the United States, however, men cannot have absolute freedom, for society to exist there must be some form of Government installed to restrain the passions of men. The American experience has created the freest society history has given us. This has not been because we are a special people, for we are a people of many ethnic groups. It is because this people have had the blessing of such pure principles to live and be governed by.  Though we seldom reached the true potential of these principles, they were always pulling us toward higher degrees of freedom. These principles are more than paper, they must be a part of our understanding. President John Adams speaking to the American Military made an astounding statement. 

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." ~ John Adams, October 11, 1798. 

AV'ARICE, n. [L. avaritia, from avarus, from aveo, to covet.]

An inordinate desire of gaining and possessing wealth; covetousness; greediness or insatiable desire of gain.

AMBI'TION, n. [L. ambitio, from ambio, to go about, or to seek by making interest, of amb, about, and eo, to go. See Ambages. This word had its origin in the practice of Roman candidates for office, who went about the city to solicit votes.]

A desire of preferment, or of honor; a desire of excellence or superiority. It is used in a good sense; as, emulation may spring from a laudable ambition. It denotes also an inordinate desire of power, or eminence, often accompanied with illegal means to obtain the object. It is sometimes followed by of; as, a man has an ambition of wit. Milton has used the word in the Latin sense of going about, or attempting; but this sense is hardly legitimate.

REVENGE, v.t. revenj'.

2. According to modern usage, to inflict pain deliberately and maliciously, contrary to the laws of justice and humanity, in return for injury, pain or evil received; to wreak vengeance spitefully on one who injures or offends.

GAL'LANTRY, n.

1. Splendor of appearance; show; magnificence; ostentatious finery. [Obsolete or obsolescent.]

2. Bravery; courageousness; heroism; intrepidity. The troops entered the fort with great gallantry.

3. Nobleness; generosity.

4. Civility or polite attentions to ladies.

5. Vicious love or pretensions to love; civilities paid to females for the purpose of winning favors; hence, lewdness; debauchery.

These are but a few of the passions of men, all of which must be measured with some restrain, without which society will break down and chaos will ensue. 

We are seeing the results of this now in our nation, passions of men are becoming unbridled and the cords of the Constitution are snapping. The principles of Christianity of which Adams spoke have been eroded in our society to the point that morality as we once knew it is taking on different forms. The passions of our heart are no longer being restrained by a common rule or world view. Our understanding of morality and religion is being formed from sources contrary to certain Christian beliefs, therefore conflicts are arising against our rule of law as well as against various factions that arise. All these new understandings of morality are fighting for dominance, it is likely one will prevail and all others will be suppressed. This would not come as a surprise to our founders for they warned us of the very time in which we live. Adams would again write to Jefferson stating: "Have you ever found in history, one single example of a Nation thoroughly corrupted that was afterward restored to virtue? . . . And without virtue, there can be no political liberty . . . . Will you tell me how to prevent riches from becoming the effects of temperance and industry? Will, you tell me how to prevent luxury from producing effeminacy, intoxication, extravagance, vice, and folly? . . . I believe no effort in favour of virtue is lost. . ." ~ John Adams. 

We look at our society and discover in our eyes so many injustices, could it be our view is being obscured by so many conflicting ideas of men? I again refer you to Adams: "Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can surely stand. The only foundation of a free Constitution is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People in a greater Measure, than they have it now, they may change their Rulers and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting Liberty." ~ John Adams, June 21, 1776.

God bless each of you,

David