"When we confine our debates to the merits or demerits of particular executive orders, we are tacitly accepting arbitrary rule. The Constitution of the United States cannot protect us unless we protect the Constitution. But, if we allow ourselves to get bogged down in the details of particular policies imposed by executive orders, and vote solely on that basis, then we have failed to protect the Constitution — and ourselves."
The underlined statement here is critical to our liberty, and we can refer to the closing paragraphs of Justice Story's "Commentaries on the Constitution . . . ." for the reliability of Sowell's claim, as well as countless statements from the Framers of our Constitution and other Justices. Examples:
" If these Commentaries shall but inspire in the rising generation a more ardent love of their country, an unquenchable thirst for liberty, and a profound reverence for the constitution and the Union, then they will have accomplished all, that their author ought to desire. Let the American youth never forget, that they possess a noble inheritance, bought by the toils, and sufferings, and blood of their ancestors; and capable, if wisely improved, and faithfully guarded, of transmitting to their latest posterity all the substantial blessings of fife, the peaceful enjoyment of liberty, property, religion, and independence. The structure has been erected by architects of consummate skill and fidelity; its foundations are solid; its compartments are beautiful, as well as useful; its arrangements are full of wisdom and order; and its defences are impregnable from without. It has been reared for immortality, if the work of man may justly aspire to such a title. It may, nevertheless, perish in an hour by the folly, or corruption, or negligence of its only keepers, THE PEOPLE. Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, in order to betray them." - Joseph Story -Final paragraph of "Commentaries . . . ."
"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 even can do much to help it." - Judge Learned Hand
After Thomas Jefferson, in his First Inaugural, had enumerated the principles which would guide his Administration in his First Inaugural, he added:
"These principles form the bright constellation which has gone before us and guided our steps through an age of revolution and reformation. The wisdom of our sages and the blood of our heroes have been devoted to their attainment. They should be the creed of our political faith, the text of civic instruction, the touchstone by which to try the services of those we trust; and should we wander from them in moments of error or of alarm, let us hasten to retrace our steps and to regain the road which alone leads to peace, liberty, and safety."
So-called "progressives" of the 20th and 21st Centuries, in their arrogance, have removed (censored) the Founders' ideas of liberty from America's textbooks, but technology has outstripped their efforts. Every American school child and adult now has potential access to almost every word the Founders spoke and wrote, and their ideas are being rediscovered and circulated in a manner unheard of even 10 years ago, as if by the hand of Divine Providence. How else can one account for the events of 2010?
Enduring principles, according to the Founders were just that--enduring and "self-evident."
Sowell's perceptive directing of our attention to principles, not the "issues" which dominate most political discussion, is a first step for citizens toward regaining the Constitution's own Article V provision--that "the People" are required in any process to fundamentally "transform" or "change" its protections for freedom. It is that freedom which is threatened when the "rule of law" is replaced by the "rule of man"--no matter who the man, or combination of men and women, are!
"The People" are, indeed, by the Constitution's own provisions, as Justice Story asserted, its "ONLY Keepers." Executive Orders by Presidents do not replace that "People's" role.
Well said and thanks for your post.
"The Constitution of the United States cannot protect us unless we protect the Constitution."
That was the money quote from Dr. Sowell's editorial. Too bad the nation and especially our so-called "leaders" failed so miserably in protecting our founding document from "Obama" when they allowed the coronation of this unvetted communist in 2008.
Thanks for the Ping, Jaz.