"By the transgression of a land many are its princes, but by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures." -- Proverbs 28:2
For two hundred and thirty years, the United States of America has weathered numerous wars, droughts, and recessions. The Republic has managed to adjust to drastic changes in policy, geography, and demography over some ten generations. After all this time, in the midst of international calamities and threats to civilization itself, America looks stronger than ever.
There is an American embassy in nearly every sovereign nation around the globe, each of them bearing some semblance of an American military presence--a fully volunteer military presence. It is now absolutely impossible for anyone to launch an attack on the United States by sea, by land, or by air--it may even be impossible from space--without the United States knowing about it and dealing with it swiftly and decisively.
For at least the last two centuries, throngs upon throngs upon throngs of men and women have come to this nation's shores and ports of entry to seek liberty, wealth, education--simply put, a better life. They have found it all and more. In just the first dozen years or so since Independence Day, Philadelphia DOUBLED in size (don't forget, there was a war fought during that time, and the city changed hands more than once). The ingenuity, productivity, and creativity of the American people have been revealed in every generation through history; and this history is manifested today in the markets, the arts, the sciences, and the entertainments which, by and large, are taken worldwide as second to none.
Having said all that, there are signs that the foundations of the republic--the same republic which I have just finished illuminating in no uncertain terms for the reader--are crumbling, that the conquest of America is imminent. Some witty fellow a while back said, "A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy." (1) I cannot vouch for the reader, but I have seen almost my fair share of unprincipled and unmannerly among us in my time. The same chap goes on, "While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader."
Kind reader, having eyes, what signs do you see of readiness to surrender or even surrender itself? And who, pray, is the conqueror? I put it to you, it is themselves: "When People are universally ignorant, and debauchd in their Manners, they will sink under their own weight without the Aid of foreign Invaders." (2)
But what say you?
Samuel Adams
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(1) The Writings of Samuel Adams, Cushing, ed., vol IV, (124)
(2) Our Sacred Honor, Bennett (261)
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3 comments:
Samuel,
We have seen the enemy, have we not? A sobering thought.
'Tis true that the government a people have is a government that they deserve. I hope yet that we may effect a return to the principles of republicanism, and deserve such a system.
DESERVE
Now, there's a word that never fails to confound. I suppose that after a day's work, I deserve $100. And by contract, someone who throws a ball about a dozen yards a hundred times a day deserves a million dollars by the first snowfall. But beyond contractual obligations, what is really "deserved?" Were we to be recompensed for all our judicious and merciful deeds to God and man, the Most High might give "the most deserving of us" a goodly sum ... before burning them to cinders where they stand.
My only hope is in the merciful and bounteus kindness that only Providence affords. It is this alone that we have seen of old and we may yet "work" to regain.
Samuel
It seems to me that there are a lot of people now in positions of authority and influence who are lacking in logic skills, moral and ethical values and just basic common sense. There are some rays of light out there, unfortunately they don't get the exposure that's necessary.
I think we need to get an iron grip on our school systems and reinstate civics classes at the very least. "where there is no vision the people perish"~Prov. 29:18
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