The First 39 of 55.

The cure for the evils of democracy is more democracy!

H. L. Mencken, Notes on Democracy, 1926

This week is of grand historical consequence for the American people, but it is assured to escape any acknowledgement of sustentative note.

That is sad, because this week holds the anniversary of the seed of the greatest country the world has ever known.

Consider the following 39 names:

Washington, George, VA

Franklin, Benjamin, PA

Madison, James, VA

Hamilton, Alexander, NY

Morris, Gouverneur, PA

Morris, Robert, PA

Wilson, James, PA

Pinckney, Chas, SC

Rutledge, John, SC

Butler, Pierce, SC

Sherman, Roger, CT

Johnson, William Samuel, CT

McHenry, James, MD

Read, George, DE

Bassett, Richard, DE

Spaight, Richard Dobbs, NC

Blount, William, NC

Williamson, Hugh, NC

Jenifer, Daniel of St. Thomas, MD

King, Rufus, MA

Gorham, Nathaniel, MA

Dayton, Jonathan, NJ

Carroll, Daniel, MD

Few, William, GA

Baldwin, Abraham, GA

Langdon, John, NH

Gilman, Nicholas, NH

Livingston, William, NJ

Paterson, William, NJ

Mifflin, Thomas, PA

Clymer, George, PA

FitzSimons, Thomas, PA

Ingersoll, Jared, PA

Bedford, Gunning, Jr., DE

Brearley, David, NJ

Dickinson, John, DE

Blair, John, VA

Broom, Jacob, DE

This week marks the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States. On September 17, 1787, these 39 men were the first of the eventual 55 signers of our founding document.

The signers, founders and framers of that august document had the audacity to construct a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Their overriding focus was the government could only function by the consent of the governed.

The Constitution is a limitation on the powers of government, which by definition is the definition of the freedoms reserved by the people.

This week, the Madison Conservative would ask that you reflect on the bravery of those original 55 signers, and of the significance of that day, 226 years ago this very week, when the sense of the American spirit was put to paper, when the hopes and dreams of freedom were given voice for posterity.

In an era of ad hominum attacks from all sides, it would be of use for the American people to pause and consider the gift of the Constitution that has been offered for them, and their posterity.

For those who believe that there is little anyone can do to affect positive change, please re-read those 39 names and reconsider your opinion on the futility of action.

We the People indeed.

Independence Day 2011

As the political season centering on the 2012 presidential election begins to heat up prematurely and thus successfully diminish the significance of the 2011 elections, the tired and baneful process of creating imaginary enemies has begun. Both extremes of the political spectrum are beginning their hue and cry of ‘taking back our country’ from the opposition. The American electorate should shun this process and these attempts to demonize our fellow citizens for short term and short sighted political advantages.

We are all Americans: we know better than to disparage each other in this manner.

There should be no belief that the country needs to be “taken back”. The nation collectively should look to gather together.

Invariably, the founders and the framers are brought into this debate on the belief that their use will help prop up and support the nonsensical petty political argument being made. While there are ample examples of the political beliefs of the founders, there are precious few personal, and thus more emotional and contemporaneous, written commentaries for use to use to establish the feelings they had, in context of founding their new democracy.

On this 235^th anniversary of the founding of the greatest nation the world has ever beheld, the words of one of the founders should be reexamined for direction on how we as a nation can find common ground upon which to base our future.

The following excerpt is from a letter written by John Adams to his beloved Abigail. There were few more openly and unabashedly passionate founders than Adams on the subject of the infant nation. His comments speak volumes to those who wish to listen.

To wit:

(ed. Note: the original punctuations and spellings have been left intact)

July 3^rd, 1776:

“The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America – I am apt to believe it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more….I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States.”

We should consider Adams’ perspective when we stop and consider the precious gift of our freedom and what we have lost in blood and treasure in the pursuit and defense of our independence. We should not disengage from the emotional component of democracy, and we should contemplate giving thanks for the opportunities we have been given.

Let us celebrate our nation with all the fanfare we can muster.

Perhaps if we celebrate as Adams’ suggests we can agree on our common heritage and decide to move forward together, so that as a nation we can confidently “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity”

We owe ourselves, our nation, and her posterity no less.

Happy July 4^th and may God continue to bless all of America!