Of Right and Capacity to Judge Government.

Cato's Letters ^ | July 22nd, 1721 | Thomas Gordon

[Jacquerie]

In most parts of the earth there is neither light nor liberty; and even in the best parts of it they are but little encouraged, and coldly maintained; there being, in all places, many engaged, through interest, in a perpetual conspiracy against them. They are the two greatest civil blessings, inseparable in their interests, and the mutual support of each other; and whoever would destroy one of them, must destroy both. Hence it is, that we every where find tyranny and imposture, ignorance and slavery, joined together; and oppressors and deceivers mutually aiding and paying constant court to each other. Where-ever truth is dangerous, liberty is precarious.

[Jacquerie]

I pulled the above paragraph from Cato’s Letter No. 33 because it is a reminder of the decrepit condition of America’s 2014 government, society, media and culture. Everything from the Obama administration is a lie, and always reinforced by a complaisant media and culture.

Unless and until the people understand the underlying truths of our nation, republic and Christianity, we are doomed to oppression, for truth and liberty are inseparable.

[Jacquerie]

Cato ping!

[Ray76]

An excellent contribution. Thanks for posting it.

[Jacquerie]

I think it’s occasionally worthwhile to step back and consider what others wrote of human nature and government long before Marx and his wicked children, Progressives, poisoned the Western mind.

FWIW, historians cite the many reprints of Cato’s Letters as the intellectual muscle behind our resistance to Great Britain in 1765.

[theBuckwheat]

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. ... But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

— Preamble, Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

[Durus]

The intellectual zeal of the 18th century is humbling.

[Jacquerie]

Yes, good point. And to think Cato’s Letters were sent to a newspaper editor, who knew his readership would devour them. The expressed concepts are beyond the interest of probably 99.9% of the American public, a sad and dangerous reality.