U.S. was founded on principles that must not to be forgotten

Star Newspapers (Chicago south suburbs) ^ | Thursday, July 3, 2003 | M. David Stirling

[Chi-townChief]

A French professor familiar with U.S.-French relations recently offered this perspective on the French mistrust of President George W. Bush:

"What is a little disconcerting for the French is an American president who seems to be principled. The idea that politics should be based on principles is unimaginable because principles lead to ideology, and ideology is dangerous."

This pseudo-sophisticated attitude on principle's disconnect with politics — no doubt held by many world leaders — is shocking to most Americans.

The notion that the making of public policy should be unrelated to or devoid of principle is anathema to American political thought.

In his epic work, "Democracy in America," written in 1840, the young French traveler in America, Alexis de Tocqueville, depicted principle as the foundational rock upon which the early settlers of the colonies, and later, the founding fathers and mothers, built the new nation.

Speaking of what he considered America's highest principle — the freedom of the people — de Tocqueville stated, "In America, the principle of the sovereignty of the people is neither barren nor concealed, as it is with some other nations; it is recognized by the customs and proclaimed by the laws; it spreads freely, and arrives without impediment at its most remote consequences."

It was principle that guided those inspired and courageous Americans who birthed our nation — demonstrated on countless occasions, large and small, through their words and actions.

Some bear mention on this 227th anniversary of America's independence.

Like the young Massachusetts lawyer John Adams, who in 1770 — despite much public scorn — defended the British soldiers tried for killing five colonists in "the Boston Massacre."

He did so on the principled belief that "no man in a free country should be denied the right to counsel and a fair trial." (See "John Adams" by David McCullough.)

Like the Massachusetts rebels who in 1774 staged the "Boston Tea Party" on the democratic principle that no free people should be compelled to pay a tax without a voice in its imposition — and in reaction to which King George ordered British troops to close the port of Boston.

When the king dissolved Virginia's board of delegates after their outspoken opposition to his stranglehold on Massachusetts' port city, Thomas Jefferson responded with a pamphlet challenging the principle of the king's authority.

He wrote: "(A) free people (claim) their rights, as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate ... kings are the servants, not the proprietors of the people."

When, in 1775, the king's Virginia governor burned the town of Norfolk, the fiery freedom fighter, Patrick Henry, concluded his eloquent call for armed resistance with the historic words, "I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."

The Declaration of Independence, drafted by 32-year-old Jefferson, was signed by the members of the Second Continental Congress on the evening of July 4, 1776. Its second sentence contains the immortal words:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness ... "

Five hard years later, the American War of Independence ended on a battlefield in Virginia, with the British surrender to General George Washington.

Historian Joseph J. Ellis writes, "At the dawn of a new century — indeed, a new millennium — the United States is now the oldest enduring republic in world history, with a set of political institutions and traditions that have stood the test of time." ("Founding Brothers, The Revolutionary Generation.")

After two centuries of often painful struggles, Americans can feel pride and gratitude to live in a nation with a principled heart.

Those countries that find America's allegiance to principle disconcerting, or unsophisticated, or even dangerous, may well point to instances where she has fallen short, or occasionally, missed the mark altogether.

But it cannot be said that America shrank from the challenge, or abandoned those in need, or stood silently by when circumstances demanded commitment.

On the 40th anniversary of the Allies' Normandy invasion, President Ronald Reagan said, "We will always remember, we will always be proud, we will always be prepared, so we may always be free."

Mr. Stirling is vice president of Pacific Legal Foundation, a Sacramento, Calif.,-based public interest law firm that defends individual and economic freedoms in the courts. The foundation's Web site is at www.pacificlegal.org.

[Chi-townChief]

"Those countries that find America's allegiance to principle disconcerting, or unsophisticated, or even dangerous, may well point to instances where she has fallen short, or occasionally, missed the mark altogether.
But it cannot be said that America shrank from the challenge, or abandoned those in need, or stood silently by when circumstances demanded commitment."

No comment necessary.

[PeterPrinciple]

".......The idea that politics should be based on principles is unimaginable because principles lead to ideology, and ideology is dangerous."

Where to you end up with this train of thought?

[bandleader]

They(The Froggies)just DON'T Get It!!I'm afarid that a lot of our people don't "Get It"either!!!Thomas Jefferson today:"We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident,That Some Men Are Created Equal And They Are Endowed By Their Government With Certain Alienable Rights,Among These Are Welfare,Social-Security,And Medicare"!!!!!!!!!!

[elbucko]

But it cannot be said that America shrank from the challenge, or abandoned those in need, or stood silently by when circumstances demanded commitment.

Well, I hate to say it, but yes we have. All the time Bill Clinton was President.

[elbucko]

...the United States is now the oldest enduring republic in world history,...

FYI, while reading Federalist Paper No. 51, I came upon James Madison's reference to our government as a "Compound Republic". I am sure the meaning of this term is not lost on the inhabitants of FreeRepublic. Not only are we "republics" at the federal level, so are we "republics" at the state level as well. The term Compound Republic must be difficult for a progressive socialist to comprehend.

[Dahoser]

What is a little disconcerting for the French is an American president who seems to be principled.

17 words that say it all.

[theDentist]

"Where do you end up with this train of thought?"

Derailed. In France.

[OREALLY]

The principle, I think that they are referring to is Christianity...French, Vidal Gore said..."Bush is a dangerous Jesus lover. The liberal's hate christianity too, and they are trying to remove any symbol's that it represents. Well that is what I read between the lines of this article...

[OPS4]

And The principle of Judeo-Christian ethics
is what they used as the core of founding this country,
and anyone who denies it is a fraud!

Ops4 God Bless America!

[Gary Boldwater]

I'd like to know what exactly are Bush's principals. Is it growing the government? Is it increasing entitlements? Is it increasing government intervention in people's lives? Is it increasing government spending? Creating new agencies? Invading foriegn countries and leaving the military to act as policemen?
If anything, the French should love him. I don't think they hate him, they are probably just jealous he's doing a better job than themselves.

[OPS4]

The Congress of the United States of America
has declared that the seven universal laws
commanded to Noah (the Noahide laws) are
"the bedrock of society from the dawn of civilization.”
U.S. Congress, H.J. Resolution 104, Public Law 102-14, 1991
This proclamation was signed by President George Bush on March 20th, 1991.

The apple did not fall far from the tree, and thank God it did not!

Ops4 God BLess America!!!!!!!!!!

[Gary Boldwater]

If you mean:

Do not worship idols.
Do not blaspheme.
Do not murder.
Do not steal.
Do not commit immoral sexual acts.
Do not be cruel to animals.
Maintain justice.

How come he lets paganism run rampant in the US (it's recognized by the federal government as a religion), he recognizes other non Christian religions (blasphemy), he sends troops to countries knowing innocents will be killed (when there is no immediate threat to the US), he has increased government entitlements (forcing others to pay for it), he has not vigorously enforced sodomy laws or prevented homosexuals from holding government jobs, he has failed to maintain justice by failing to adhere to the Constitution, which he has sworn, before God, to uphold.

The words "do not" are rather weak when applied to a man in leadership position. They're ok when applied to individuals. Fortunately, the Constitution is our fundamental legal document and not Noah's 7 laws.

To quote Barry M Goldwater:

"Those who mix religion and politics should go to hell!"

[asformeandformyhouse]

17 words that say it all

Maybe it should be written as a Haiku:

What is a little disconcerting
for the French is an American president
who seems to be principled.

[Search4Truth]

"The Declaration of Independence, drafted by 32-year-old Jefferson, was signed by the members of the Second Continental Congress on the evening of July 4, 1776."

I had no idea he was so young at the time.

[OPS4]

Say what you will, but the facts are here and the case will be made, and the rule of Law as we know it today came from the w3ord of God.

God Bless America!!!!!!
Ops4

[strela]

The notion that the making of public policy should be unrelated to or devoid of principle is anathema to American political thought.

The notion that whining French politicians and the sheep-like citizens of that nation should be taken seriously is anathema to logical thought.

[OPS4]

Those who wish ill on other people for telling the truth
are allready in hell!

Ops4 God Bless America!

[St.Chuck]

I'd like to know what exactly are Bush's principals.

My thought exactly.

[Gary Boldwater]

OOPS4:

I wish no ill will on you at all. I'm sorry if I gave that impression. If you believe that the US Constitution is the word of God, that's fine with me. If Hillary proposes an amendment, and it is passed, we will know that God also speaks through her.

[OPS4]

That will be Judged by God based on her amendment at that time.
Ops4 God BLess America!