The Founding Fathers comprehended how and why people behave the way they do. Rather, the purpose of governments and constitutions was to protect these basic, God-given rights. No government or constitution gave them to the individual. The Founding Fathers who framed our Constitution in 1787 knew that individuals have certain unalienable rights – “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,†as earlier expressed in the Declaration of Independence. Protection from Enemies – Foreign and Domestic It is time that we give some serious thought to the Constitution. We cannot support our Constitution, however, unless we face the fact that it is being continually ignored and betrayed. If we truly want to strengthen freedom and regain what we have already lost, we will pledge ourselves to defending the Constitution. That freedom was being threatened, and Henry was telling the colonists to wake up and confront the danger before them. Henry and other patriots believed that freedom meant individuals had the ability and responsibility to plan their own lives without unnecessary government intervention. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth to know the worst and provide for it.â€īy “temporal salvation,†Patrick Henry meant the preservation of freedom – the freedom to work and provide for our personal lives as we best see fit. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts. €œIt is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. He warned against indifference, complacency, and apathy. Henry clearly understood how freedom was being threatened by oppressive government rule. We ought to heed a warning made by Patrick Henry in 1775, not long before the opening shots of the War for Independence were fired at Lexington and Concord. The word “destroyed†might appear to be somewhat harsh, but it is appropriate. As it continues to be violated, we should see how freedom is gradually being destroyed. The Constitution has been misinterpreted, abused, and subverted. Too many members of the administrative, legislative, and judicial branches of the federal government have failed to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States†and “bear true faith and allegiance to the same.†Unfortunately for the cause of freedom, the oath of office has often become only a hollow formality. In response to their oath of office, our Congressmen and Senators answer “I do,†but do they really mean it? Let’s take a look at that oath, expressed as a question and answered by “I do.â€ĭo you solemnly swear that you will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter: So help you God? The elected and appointed officials of our federal government take an oath of office before undertaking their constitutional duties.
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