Twilight of the Sort-Of Gods

Modern American liberalism has always had a streak of political messianism, a Great Man view of the presidency, and impatience with a government slowed by the checks and balances created by the Founders. The history of modern liberalism begins with Woodrow Wilson, the father of the movement to create a “living Constitution” in place of the written one. He sought to end what he called “blind worship” of the Constitution, taking pride in the fact that:

We are the first Americans to hear our own countrymen ask whether the Constitution is still adapted to serve the purposes for which it was intended; the first to entertain any serious doubts about the superiority of our own institutions as compared with the systems of Europe; the first to think of remodeling the administrative machinery of the federal government, and of forcing new forms of responsibility on Congress. ....

The distinctive mark of the Progressive movement was reliance on the university as effectively a fourth branch of government, employing new fields of “social science” to define the state’s goals and to prescribe cures for social problems. The state and the university became a joint reform project — government by academic and administrative experts, using a centralized bureaucracy, to transcend politics. Sociology replaced philosophy as the highest form of human wisdom. It was social science, after all, and it needed only forward-thinking politicians to implement it. .....

The second stage of modern liberalism came with FDR, ..... FDR had “a second-class intellect but a first-class temperament,” and temperament was what the second stage needed.

Wilson laid the intellectual foundation; the second stage required a more effective teacher, and FDR believed “the greatest duty of a statesman is to educate” the public. ...

Thanks for posting. The so-called "liberal," or now-described "progressive" movement began far earlier than Wilson's presidency, however.

Posted below is an excerpt from the "Centennial Thanksgiving Sermon" delivered in November 1876, celebrating the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, by Rev. Benjamin W. Arnett, at the St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Urbana, Ohio. Rev. Arnett was an Ohio State Legislator, a scholar, and outstanding Black Minister. The Sermon's theme was "Righteousness Exalteth a Nation, but Sin is a Reproach to Any People," and traced the history of nations and forms of government, including that of the United States. The full text of this work can be read at the web site of the Library of Congress, American Memory, in the African-American Pamphlets from the Daniel A. P. Murray Collection.

After a lengthy tracing of the ideas upon which American liberty was built, on P. 45, Rev. Arnett includes the following warning of what he called, "The Danger to our Country." As you can see, he describes the "liberals" of that day, their stated agenda, and the dangers to liberty they presented:

"The Danger to our Country.
"Now that our national glory and grandeur is principally derived from the position the fathers took on the great questions of right and wrong, and the career of this nation has been unparalleled in the history of the past, now there are those who are demanding the tearing down the strength of our national fabric. They may not intend to tear it down, but just as sure as they have their way, just that sure will they undermine our superstructure and cause the greatest calamity of the age. What are the demands of this party of men? Just look at it and examine it for yourselves, and see if you are willing that they shall have their way; or will you still assist in keeping the ship of state in the hands of the same crew and run her by the old gospel chart! But ye men who think there is no danger listen to the demands of the Liberals as they choose to call themselves:
"'Organize! Liberals of America! The hour for action has arrived. The cause of freedom calls upon us to combine our strength, our zeal, our efforts. These are The Demands of Liberalism:
"'1. We demand that churches and other ecclesiastical property shall no longer be exempt from just taxation.
"'2. We demand that the employment of chaplains in Congress, in State Legislatures, in the navy and militia, and in prisons, asylums, and all other institutions supported by public money, shall be discontinued.
"'3. We demand that all public appropriations for sectarian educational and charitable institutions shall cease.
"'4. We demand that all religious services now sustained by the government shall be abolished; and especially that the use of the Bible in the public schools, whether ostensibly as a text-book or avowedly as a book of religious worship, shall be prohibited.
"'5. We demand that the appointment, by the President of the United States or by the Governors of the various States, of all religious festivals and fasts shall wholly cease.
"'6. We demand that the judicial oath in the courts and in all other departments of the government shall be abolished, and that simple affirmation under the pains and penalties of perjury shall be established in its stead.
"'7. We demand that all laws directly or indirectly enforcing the observance of Sunday as the Sabbath shall be repealed.
"'8. We demand that all laws looking to the enforcement of “Christian” morality shall be abrogated, and that all laws shall be conformed to the requirements of natural morality, equal rights, and impartial liberty.
"'9. We demand that not only in the Constitution of the United States and of the several States, but also in the practical administration of the same, no privilege or advantage shall be conceded to Christianity or any other special religion; that our entire political system shall be founded and administered on a purely secular basis; and that whatever changes shall prove necessary to this end shall be consistently, unflinchingly, and promptly made.'
"'Let us boldly and with high purpose meet the duty of the hour.'
"Now we must not think that we have nothing to do in this great work, for the men who are at the head of this movement are men of culture and intelligence, and many of them are men of influence. They are led by that thinker and scholar, F. E. Abbott, than whom I know but few men who has a smoother pen, or who is his equal on the battle-field of thought. He says in an address on the duty of his leagues:
"'My answer may be a negative one to all who see nothing positive in the idea of liberty. The conviction I refer to is this: that, regarded as a theological system, Christianity is Superstition, and, regarded as an organized institution, Christianity is Slavery. The purpose I refer to is this: that, whether regarded as theological system, Christianity shall wholly cease to exercise influence in political matters. Although the national Constitution is strictly secular and non-Christian, there are many things in the practical administration of the government which violate its spirit, and constitute a virtual recognition of Christianity as the national religion. These violations are very dangerous; they are on the increase; they more and more give Christianity a practical hold upon the government; they directly tend to strengthen the influence of Christianity over the people, and to fortify it both as a theology and a church; and they are therefore justly viewed with growing indignation by liberals. Not unreasonably are they looked upon as paving the way to a formidable effort to carry the Christian Amendment to the Constitution; and the liberals are beginning to see that they must extinguish the conflagration in its commencement. I believe all this myself, with more intense conviction every day; and therefore I appeal frankly to the people to begin now to lay the foundations of a great National Party of Freedom. It is not a moment too soon. If the liberals are wise, they will see the facts as they are, and act accordingly. Not with hostility, bitterness, defiance, or anger but rather with love to all men and high faith in the beneficence of consistently republican institutions, do I urge them most earnestly to begin the work at once.'

"He acknowledges that this is a religious nation and wants all men to assist him in eliminating the grand old granite principles from the framework of our national union. Will you do it freeman; will we sell the temple reared at the cost of so much precious blood and treasure? These men would have us turn back the hands on the clock of our national progress, and stay the shadow on the dial plate of our christian civilization; they would have us call a retreat to the soldiers in the army of Christ; the banner of the cross they would have us haul down, and reverse the engines of war against sin and crime; the songs of Zion they would turn into discord, and for the harmony and the melody of the sons of God, they would give us general confusion; they would have us chain the forces of virtue and unloose the elements of vice; they would have the nation loose its moorings from the Lord of truth and experience and commit interest, morally, socially; religiously and politically to the unsafe and unreliable human reason; they would discharge God and his crew and run the ship of State by the light of reason, which has always been but a dim taper in the world, and all the foot-prints it has left are marked with the blood of men, women and children. No nation is safe when left alone with reason.
"But we have no notion of giving up the contest without a struggle or a battle. We are aware that there is a great commotion in the world of thought. Religion and science are at arms length contending with all their forces for the mastery. Faith and unbelief are fighting their old battles over again, everything that can be shaken is shaking. The foundations of belief are assaulted by the army of science and men are changing their opinions. New and starting theories are promulgated to the world; old truths are putting on new garbs. Error is dressing in the latest style, wrong is secured by the unholy alliances, changes in men and things, revolution in church and state, Empires are crumbling, Kingdoms tottering; everywhere the change is seen. In the social circle, in the school house, in the pulpit and in the pews. But amid all the changes are revolutions their are some things that are unchangeable, unmovable and enduring. The forces that underline the vital power of Christianity are the same yesterday, to-day, to-morrow and forever more. They are like their God, who is omnipotent, immovable and eternal, and everywhere truth has marched it has left its moccasin tracks.
"The Conclusion of the Whole Matter.We have patiently tried to examine the record of the nations of antiquity and learn the cause of their decay and decline, their fall, why their early death; and why so many implements of destruction around and about their tombs, and everywhere, in the silent streets, mouldering ruins, tottering columns, mouldy and moist rooms, and the united voice from the sepulcher of the dead past is, "sin is a reproach to any people." We see it written on the tombs of the Kings, and engraven on the pages of time, "sin is a reproach to any people." These are the principles of governments, Right and wrong; and the people who are the advocates of Right have bound themselves together and by their united effort they have brought light out of darkness and forced strength out of weakness.
"We as a nation have a grand and glorious future before us. The sun of our nation is just arising above the horizon and is now sending his golden rays of peace from one end of the land to the other. The utmost extremities of the members of the body politic are warm and in motion by the commercial and financial activities of the land. Her face is destined to blush with beauty when peace and justice shall be enthroned. The grand march of progress shall mark her in her onward advancement in moral strength, intellectual brilliancy, and political power. Then we can say that we give to every man, woman and child the benefit of our free institutions, giving all the benefits of our common school and the freedom to worship God under their own vine and fig tree. Then will we see written, on the banner of our free, redeemed and disenthralled country, the sublime words written, not in the blood of men, but in the sun-light of truth, that "Righteousness exalteth a nation." It will fall like the morning dew on the lowly; it will descend like the showers of May on the poor; and like the sun it will shine on the good and bad, dispensing from the hand of plenty the blessings of a government founded on the principle of justice and equality.

Would Rev. Arnett not be saddened to know that the agenda of the men he quoted has been so nearly accomplished in America today?

Thanks for your responses to Post #5.

For all who read this, please consider reading the full text of Rev. Arnett's "Thanksgiving Sermon" in celebration of the Centennial of the Declaration of Independence.

Arnett's scholarship and knowledge of the founding philosophy, evidenced by quotations he cites from the Founders, Justices of the Supreme Court to that time, State Constitutions, and his over all analysis of the principles of right upon which American liberty was based, makes it a record which should have been part of the reading materials in our history programs over the past 150 years.

Of course, the so-called "liberals," or "progressives" have, in effect, "burned the books" which might have kept generations of Americans knowledgeable, alert, and able to ward off the encroaching tyranny which surrounds us.

If you find this reference useful, please share with your various lists.

Arnett's history of nations and, in particular, of the American experiment to that time is as current as today's news, for already, there were enemies of liberty, and his description of their ideas matches that of those enemies today.

As we watch the Monday debate, we might note our Republic's Constitutional requirement of the "Oath of Office" and its meaning. Arnett states:

"Oaths and affirmations are appeals to God, by him who makes them, that what he has said, or what he shall say, is the truth. It is the most solemn form under which one can assert or pronounce anything, and its violation is a crime of the darkest hue; one which God has declared he will punish; one that is made infamous and punishable by fine and imprisonment, by the laws of the land. Thus Christian obligation is required of every officer of the general Government, who fills any position of trust, honor or emolument. Many reports are required in the form and shape of affidavits. "The First and Last Presidents' Testimony.
"We find that the Father of our Country, General George Washington, in his first Inaugural Address to the American nation, made the following statement: ;No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible Hand, which conducts the affairs of men, more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an Independent Nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency; and in the important revolution just accomplished, in the system of their united government, the tranquil deliberations, and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities from which the event has resulted, cannot be compared with the means by which most governments have been established, without the return of previous gratitude along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which the past seems to presage.' In his farewell address, when returning his important trust to his countrymen, he said 'abide by religion and morality as the firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.' The first in peace, the first in war, and the first in the hearts of his countrymen, in the ripenings of his manhood advises the Nation to abide by religion and morality, which is the same as Righteousness. It is in the language of the Holy Bible, 'Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.'
"The testimony of the Father of his Country, is before you. Now I have the great satisfaction of giving the last proclamation of the Great Captain of the Age, the worthy savior of his country, and the friend of our race. He is of the opinion that the strength of this Nation is the Almighty. Thus the first and last of the Chief Magistrates are of the opinion that this nation has a God and was founded on Righteousness. But here is the testimony, read it and take it home with you, and transmit it to your children and their children:
By the President of the United States -
A Thanksgiving Proclamation.
"From year to year we have been accustomed to pause in our daily pursuits and set apart a time and offer our thanks to Almighty God for the special blessings He has vouch-safed to us, with our prayers for a continuance thereof. We have at this time equal reason to be thankful for His continued protection and for the material blessings He has bestowed. In addition to these favors accorded us as individuals we have especial occasion to express our hearty thanks to Almighty God, that by His providence and guidance our government established a century ago has been enabled to fulfill the purpose of its founders in offering an asylum to the people of every race, securing civil and religious liberty to all within its borders, and meting out to every individual alike justice and equality before the law. It is moreover especially our duty to offer our humble prayers to the Father of all mercies for continuance of His Divine favor to us a nation and as individuals.
"'By reason of these considerations, I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States, do recommend to the people of the United States to devote the 30th DAY OF NOVEMBER next to the expression of their thanks and prayers to Almighty God and laying aside their daily avocations and all secular occupations to assemble in their respective places of worship and observe said day as a day of thanksgiving and rest.
'In witness whereof I have herewith set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this 26th day of Oct., in the year of our Lord, 1876, and of the Independence of the United Stated of America, the one hundred and first.
(Signed)U.S. GRANT.
Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State.'
"The great seal of this nation is of vast importance, for all the executive documents must have the impression of the 'great seal' to establish their authenticity. We can find that on this religious sentiment of the founders of the government are seen. This history of this seal is of much importance to every lover of his country; and who is not a lover of his country? The front of the seal contains the American Eagle with a shield on his breast, the olive branch is one talon and a bundle of thirteen arrows in the other, and in his beak a scroll inscribed with the motto, E Pluribus Unum. Reverse, a pyramid unfinished in the zenith, an eye in the triangle surrounded with a glory, over the eye the words Annat Coptis, God has favored the undertaking; on the base of the pyramid Novus Ordo, Secularum or a new series of ages.
"The Moccasin tracks of Righteousness are seen on the money of this country, on the silver and gold. You will find on one side the Goddess of Liberty, and on the other the American Eagle, and over his head we find &'In God we Trust.' It is a truth that the financial prosperity of the nation depends on the aid given by Providence . . . ."

(End of excerpt from Rev. Benjamin W. Arnett - November 1876 "Thanksgiving Sermon)

Thanks. Yes, I thought of Dr. Sowell when I first came across this Sermon some time ago. the small excerpts provided here are only minute samplings of that lengthy and detailed history of nations. At the beginning, heI do hope you will, if you have not already done so, please seek it out at the LOC, click on "read full text," and see how this learned man traces the history of nations.

He begins, as follows:

Text: "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." -Prov. xiv: 34
"These are words of wisdom, and were the expression of the wisest King that ever sat on a throne or ruled over a nation.
"In choosing principle to found a government on, you can only select one of two principles: Right or Wrong. All governments are founded on the one or the other, and we may fully understand what Righteousness means.
"The words Right and Wrong are relative terms, like light and darkness, good and evil, just and unjust; righteousness and sin stand in the same relation to the actions of men. The one implies strict obedience to all moral, civil, ecclesiastical or divine law; the other means the violation of either divine or human law. So when we speak of Righteousness, we have reference to the actions of men, or the principles of government. The text makes the announcement that one will exalt, and the other will\ bring reproach on the nation or people who practices the one or the other principle. Now we will call your attention to the application of these, principles, and then took at them philosophically and logically, and then we will try and find whether the testimony of the past will bear out the declaration of the Royal King of Israel.
"Civil government is what? It is not the family, yet family is the unit of States. There can be no government without families; we can have a family without government or without political government in all its ramifications. But every family has some kind of government.
"We understand a government to be a community organized under one form or system of government, and dwelling together under that form of government, in one territory, or in territories distinct from each other. Those who thus associate themselves together form the State or nation of people.
"Now, as to the Rule of conduct that shall characterize this state of government. There are only three rules by which men govern each other. We will call them the Iron Rule, the Silver Rule, and the Golden Rule. They read as follows:
1st. Iron Rule—As I would not that men should do unto me, do I even so to them;
2d. Silver Rule—As men do unto me, do I even so to them;
3d. Golden Rule—“As I would that men should do unto me, do I so unto them.”
"Now this constitutes the Political ethics, when applied to government of states. Just in proportion as the individual member of the State feels that he has an interest in the conduct of the whole, he is morally and ethically bound to consult the interest and wishes of the whole.
"In our country the wishes of the majority is expressed by the parties and the election of men to represent our principles, and then they crystallize these into law, and send to us, to bless or curse us, just in proportion as we have been wise in the election of our principles, policies and men.
"There are various opinions as to what constitutes the true basis of human government. Some contend that it rests on the will of God, and is based on Divine Right. Hobbs says, that, 'whereas it is manifest that the measure of good and evil action is the Civil Law.' Again he says: 'The Law of Right is the public conscience by which he hath already undertaken to be founded.' Thus he makes might Right, and establishes the divine right of Kings and governments, whether they are good or bad. We are opposed to this doctrine from beginning to end. We are of the opinion that every man is the judge of good and evil, and this was the force that set the reformation of the 16th century in motion, and which has made the protestant religion so acceptable to the masses and so powerful for good.
"Dr. Haven states in his Moral Philosophy, page 238: 'That by the constitution of things and of human nature, God has settled it, that civil government of some sort, there shall be; but of what sort it shall be, He has left it to men themselves to decide; and this they do decide, each community or people for itself, by some sort of civil compact or government.'
"Then we assert that the best rule for human conduct is found in the Bible, “The Home Book of Heaven, and the School Book of Earth.”
"This gives us examples of government, which administered its law by each of the three rules named. It gives us the result of the experiment, and informs us that only Righteousness will exalt a nation, politically, morally, socially, religiously and intellectually. This was said, not by a beggar, nor a man unacquainted with government, but by the Royal King, Solomon, than whom there never was so wise a one sat on the throne of state.
"The condition of man, and the place he occupies in the great chain of creation, makes him the subject of law, physical, intellectual, civil and spiritual. Every thing animate and inanimate is subject to the universal law of creation, and when they violate them, they are punished and die, the innocent babe or the octogenarian. Laws are human or divine; they are rules from man or God; they are always good when from God; but are sometimes good and sometimes bad when made by man. Sometimes men are right, and at other times, they are radically wrong.
"Man is not alone subject to law in this world, nor in the one to come. From the smallest animalcule that sports in the crystal drop of the deep sea, to the tallest archangel that moves and burns in the presence of God, is subject to physical or spiritual law. The far reaching world the occupies space, and the arch-fiend of the pit, all move in harmony to the Divine will, which is law.
"The Knowledge of Law Essential:—Now that we find man chained by law to the earth, and moves, eats, sleeps and works by the same, we should know what is law? what is human? what is Divine? that we may obey the one without questioning it, and that we may examine the other to see if right or wrong; for sometimes the individual dare not agree with human law, because they are not always right, and ought not to be obeyed, or if obeyed only until they can be repealed or abrogated.
"The conflict of right and wrong is not confined to the human heart, but found in the laws and customs of men. They find themselves incorporated into the fundamental law of nations. In the declaration of rights and wrongs, they are often sanctioned by the Legislators formulating them, and spreading them on the Statute book. They are seen in the judicial decision of the Supreme Court, in the dissension of the minority from the majority. But though wrong may be written in the constitution, and affirmed by the judicial decision of a thousand courts, it will not be right. It may be law, but law is not always right.
"Man being a dependent creature, he is subject to the laws of his creator. “The will of his maker is called the law of nature. “St Paul in speaking of the relation of man and God, says: “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.”
"When God made man, and created matter, he endowed matter with seven certain principles or properties: I, impenetrability; 2, extension; 3, figure; 4, divisibility; 5, indestructibility 6, inertia; 7, attraction.
"Man was made, a mortal from an immortal mold, and when he came from the plastic hand of his maker, he was a compound being, having body and soul; the body was formed out of the dust of the earth, with the senses of feeling, tasting, smelling, hearing and seeing; the avenues of his knowledge of the objective world. The soul was formed rational of a pure spiritual nature, having understanding, affections and will.
"The whole was given a path in which to perambulate; the one was subject to the general laws, the other was subject to the necessary laws of thought, and the soul was subject to special commands from Heaven. The will was free to choose between the right and wrong; righteousness and sin was set before them; the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and the tree of life, were side by side then, as now; they were planted by the same Divine hand, and watered by the same dews, and received the same sun light. But his maker made him to understand that though he was free to partake of the one, or reject the other, that he was responsible for his choice; and that the application of the will of the Creator to supplying the wants of man was to be the work of man, and not God. So that from then until now, man has chosen his own form of government, based on obedience to God, or in unbelief or doubt in the truth of the commands of the Almighty; his affections have been on earth or heaven: on God or self; for the good or evil of man; the fruit has sometimes been bitter and sour, at other times times mild and pleasant; but always sweet, when the tree was planted in righteousness. Governments were always good, when founded in inimitable principle of right and justice from man to man. If man could have lived alone, he would not have needed any government; but being a social being, he will, and must have society; then if society, to have harmony, there must be rules of action expressed or understood; the wants of our nature make it imperative, and compel us to pursue this course, in order that our wants may be supplied, for we can not live alone and be happy; no happiness in loneliness or solitude, says humanity with almost a unanimous voice. The inimitable principles of truth and justice are written on the heart of humanity by the divine pen, and it is so legible that it may, and is read in the dim light of intuition, and explained by stammering tongue—reason.
"The wise author of our being so constructed our constitution, or that of humanity, that we need no other prompter to inquire into and pursue the principle of justice, than our own self love and self interest.
"The principle of eternal justice is inseparably joined in the bend of holy wedlock to our individual happiness; “to have and to hold, from this day, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance.” It is so that when we fail in the one the other fails on us.
"So we say, that those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder in church, nor in state, nor in the family, nor in society.
"This brings us to ethics, which is the science of human duty, the body of rules of duty derived from science; a particular system of principles and rules concerning duty, whether true or false; rules of practice in respect to a single class of human actions, as political or social ethics.
"Ethics in the art of government; it is the application of principles to human action. Then as man will not, or can not, live alone, he must have some laws, and when he has a law, there must be some one to see that the law is carried out, and that every body living under the law obeys the same. There must be some one to execute the will of the people, as embodied in the law and as understood by the jurisprudence of the country. The human family could not live as one great family, nor as one great society, and be happy, for the good of one is not always the good of another; the conditions physically considered are not the same; then the moral, social and intellectual wants are not always in harmony.
"So we find mankind divided into numerous and various governments, all intended to benefit man; some the few and others the many.
"The most common forms of government are the patriarchal; when the head of the family is the source of law and order, he is the legislature and fills the judicial chair, and then sees that his own will is executed by all. This was the first form of government among men. It was suited to them when the earth was young and the race was in its infancy.
"Monarchy Absolute":—The power is in the hands of one; His will is law. The monarch is at once executive and law-maker, and, if he pleases, judge also; that is, those who may be nominally entrusted with the functions of legislative and judicial power are so at his pleasure and by his appointment, and therefore under his complete control; to his power there is no constitutional check or restraint.
"Limited Monarchy:—This power of the emperor or king is modified and held in check by other departments of the government, and by constitutional restraints, which affix certain limits, beyond which he may not go.
"The legislative is kept distinct from the judiciary, in its prerogatives and powers, while the functions of the executive are well guarded and defined.
"The Aristocracy:—Where a select body, sharing among themselves the powers and prerogatives of the government, or exercise them in their collective capacity, filling their own vacancies or coming into place by inheritance, or by the acquisition of certain titles, rank or possessions.
"Pure Democracy:—The people at large make laws for themselves in assemblies of the whole or by division and tribes; the will of the people is law, with no intervening instrumentality to give expression or validity.
"Republican Democracy:—Where the whole people delegate their power to representatives, who represent them, the real power still lying in the hands of the people, or the many, nevertheless, who choose only such persons as they please, and by this they can change or revoke that power at certain and given times or periods.
We have an illustrious example of the Republic in our own beloved government. It stands as the monument to the progress of the human family, the representative of the advancement of knowledge in the science of human governments; it is the acme, the experience of the ages, the light of the past in a focalized state.
"Ours is the beginning of the political millennium. The divine hand is seen in the establishment of our Republic. In its organization the hand of Providence can be seen, and the foot prints of God are found throughout all of its history. It was the theatre, where the human family was to try its hand at self-government; where the rights of all were to be respected; “to be a government of the people, by the people and for the people.” Sin had made the governments of the Old World a reproach to any people, and men were ashamed of their governments, and the human family was looking for a land where divine right of king to rule was not the law, nor the belief of the many.
"The political, social, educational and religious rights of the people were at the mercy of the most absolute depots, and tyranny was the ruling method of government; the power of oppression and wrong were in an unhallowed alliance with each other, to support the tottering, crumbling thrones from destruction by the truth and justice of God.

From that point, Dr. Arnett brings the hearer (or, in this case, the reader), to that day in November 1876 when he delivered this remarkable address.

Why have such documents not been treasured as part of the historical account of the United States?

There is another such history of the ideas underlying America's founding which has been ignored and relegated to rare book stores--the place where I found a copy many years ago. It is an authentic history of the ideas underlying American's founding and can be read online by visiting this web site. It is Richard Frothingham's 1872 "History of the Rise of the Republic of the United States."

This 600+-page history traces the ideas which gave birth to the American founding. Throughout, Richard Frothingham, the historian, develops the idea that it is "the Christian idea of man" which allowed the philosophy underlying the Declaration of Independence and Constitution to become a reality--an idea which recognizes the individual and the Source of his/her "Creator"-endowed life, liberty and law.

Is there any wonder that the enemies of freedom, the so-called "progressives," do not promote such authentic histories of America? Their philosophy puts something called "the state," or "global interests" as being superior to individuals and requires a political elitist group to decide what role individuals are to play.

In other words, they must turn the Founders' ideas upside-down in order to achieve a common mediocrity for individuals and power for themselves.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.