Posted on 11/05/2002 7:39:03 AM PST by Stand Watch Listen
Today is the last election before the campaign finance ‘reform´ legislation goes into effect. In other words, this may be the final chance the American electorate has to defeat an incumbent Congressman or Senator. So, in one final attempt to urge Americans to do the responsible thing today and reject every sitting incumbent, no matter their party affiliation, no matter their voting record, I offer this brief column, comprised of the words of Noah Webster, the eminent scholar of language.
The author of the first dictionary of the American language, Webster spoke and wrote some of the clearest words ever recorded about our republic, its defense and its maintenance. He is a man who knew about dedication and commitment, about faithfulness to a task. He began his dictionary at age 43, and it took over 27 years to complete. He learned 26 languages in the process, in order to trace the origins of our tongue. When finished in 1828, at the age of 70, Noah's dictionary had 70,000 words in it.
This is our republic, if (as Ben Franklin said) we can keep it. Read these few quotes from Noah Webster, and ponder them on your way to the polls. We will be more apt to keep it—rather, to get it back from the professional political class on whom we´ve squandered it—if you will do so:
“In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide...look to his character...It is alleged by men of loose principles, or defective views of the subject, that religion and morality are not necessary or important qualifications for political stations. But the Scriptures teach a different doctrine. They direct that rulers should be men who rule in the fear of God, able men...men of truth...When a citizen gives his vote to a man of known immorality, he abuses his civic responsibility; he sacrifices not only his own interest, but that of his neighbor; he betrays the interest of his country.”
“While our hearts melt with the recollection of the severe sufferings, and glorious fate, of our departed friends, let us be animated with new zeal to imitate their virtues, and with fresh desires to cherish the honor and interest of the country, which they shed their blood to defend.”
“Nor let [later generations] view this inheritance of National Freedom and Independence, as a fortune that is to be squandered away, in ease and riot, but as an estate to be preserved only by industry, toil and vigilance.” – from Oration on the Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Noah Webster, 1802.
"When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, "just men who will rule in the fear of God." The preservation of [our] government depends on the faithful discharge of this Duty; if the citizens neglect their Duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the Laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizen will be violated or disregarded. If [our] government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine Commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the Laws." –History of the United States, by Noah Webster, 1832.
Yet still, there were millions (and probably still are) who fall for that hoary old lie that "The candidate's character doesn't matter".
Bent Willy to Lady Liberty, "You better put some ice on that."
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