The world draws up their chairs for another contentious election. Draw up your chair and grab a cup of hot chocolate for a good distraction discussion—the team of Children Of The Republic gathers for a conversation on the America that has overcome so much, and will continue to overcome so much.

What is a quote from the Founding Fathers that really inspires you, and why?

Domina Libertas: Patrick Henry said, “Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!” I love this because it’s a declaration of personal choice – and personal accountability. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what your neighbor says or does, or the king across the sea says or does, you are still called upon to do the right thing.

Libertatem Duco: I almost picked a quote from The Declaration of Independence, Patrick Henry’s speech, or other great speeches. But I settled on something more intimate. Quotes from John Adams’ letters to his heroic wife, Abigail Adams. 

“Posterity! You will never know, how much it cost the present Generation, to preserve your Freedom!”

“I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain.” 

This highlights his forward thinking, the legacy that the Founding Fathers were consciously creating. That generational duty needs to be felt again.

Libertatem Fidelium: “It is weakness rather than wickedness which renders men unfit to be trusted with unlimited power.” – John Adams This quote speaks to the importance of guarding against human nature rather than human wickedness. Good intentions can be the door to anything. It’s better that a government has limits that guard against the weakness of human nature, instead of being open to every “beneficial project.”

Libertatem Hortus: “With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together. The independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint councils and joint efforts—of common dangers, sufferings, and successes.” – George Washington. Despite all our differences, we are Americans first, and other identities second. We ought to act like it.

Vir Patriae: “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against any form of tyranny over the mind of man.” – Thomas Jefferson

You have the attention of all of America for one minute—what are you saying?

Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address. Photo by Alexander Gardner.

Domina Libertas: America will not be saved by elections, no matter who wins; America will not be saved by politicians, no matter how well-meaning. James Madison said, “If our nation is ever taken over, it will be taken over from within.” It is equally true that if our nation is to be saved, it will be saved from within, by the ordinary people with ordinary lives who are willing to stand up for our freedoms and values. 

Libertatem Duco: Americans! Open up and read a copy of the Declaration of the Independence and the Constitution! Realize the American dream laid out in there, the grand rhetoric and innovative system. Take time today to meet your neighbors, the people in the stores with you, because sometimes we have more things than we have community. Merge your study of our founding documents and the connection with your neighbors to understand the greatness of America, both where we came from, where we are, and where we need to go.

Libertatem Fidelium: Don’t worry about changing the world so much as changing yourself and your home and your community. Big changes spark from small places.

Libertatem Hortus: Party voting is flawed, if the only reason you like someone is because of your party, or hate them because of theirs, then there is a flaw in your thinking. America is flawed, majorly, but that doesn’t give us a right to give up on working together to fix it. We ought to be friends and country fellows first, not political identities.

Vir Patriae: America is not yet lost. Despite the waves of apathy and hate in our country, we as free men must stand. Those who understand this message, coming not from me but sensed by all in intellectual frustration, will stand. Those who ignore or scoff at their inner understanding will be subject to the waves and whims of tyranny.

What’s a favorite story from our history?

Domina Libertas: James Madison attended the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) starting in 1769, completing their four year course in only two years. Due to the strain of this endeavor, James Madison became very sick and nearly died. According to legend, a few years later, Alexander Hamilton was denied the same opportunity, due to Madison’s near-death experience.

Libertatem Duco: The Battle of Trenton has always meant a lot to me. That they had the dedication to march barefoot in the snow on Christmas to fight against an elite force speaks volumes.

The Constitutional Convention was a miracle. That they all came up with something they could all sign, that allowed for this limited extended commercial federal democratic republic we have today is so important.

The way Americans elected Lincoln for a second term because they knew he would continue the Civil War, and then in his inaugural address, rather than spewing hate and anger and urging to destroy, he said “With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds.”

The Space Race that started as a competition between nations and led to some of the greatest feats of technological and human ingenuity.

Honestly, sometimes I have a new favorite story from our history every day.

Libertatem Fidelium: I love the story of our founding. It’s crazy to me that English colonists in a new world could see that change needed to be made, and were brave enough to risk their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to bring their vision to life. It’s also crazy that they were able to unite together, despite so many differences in belief and custom. It was a rocky road, but their legacy has stood the test of centuries.

Libertatem Hortus: Hard one, but I’ll say the story of King Cyrus, during a time where people were cruel and Persian kings had a reputation to be cruel, he decided not to be. He decided to give freedoms to people, return local ‘gods’ to their countries of origins, and grant a relative large amount of freedom to everyone. We get to choose to be cruel or merciful, not life.

Vir Patriae: The Battle of Athens. Having just fought in World War Two, soldiers returning to Athens, Tennessee found that a political machine they had left behind had grown into a monster, corrupting the police and court systems. Unabashed, they fielded their own candidates. When it became clear that they were going to win, corrupt men of the political machine took the ballot boxes to the county jail to be counted, which was against the law. When it became clear that they would have no redress through the law, the G.I’s of Athens armed themselves and attacked the jail, eventually driving out it’s defenders using dynamite. Upon this, a fair election could be held.

Why do you love America?

Domina Libertas: The thesis of America is that mankind has divine rights, gifted by God and irrevocable by mortal men. This thesis has given rise to a flood of prosperity, freedom, and innovation. It gave my ancestors hope for a better life—hope that brought them from England and Scandinavia to carve out a life for themselves. Many generations later, the same thesis offers me the same hope.

Libertatem Duco: I love so much of America. I love the small towns and the comfortable suburbia. I love our heritage and exploration of the principles of selflessness, peace, leadership, liberty, boldness, and checks and balances throughout our history and our present day. The “great American experiment” has never been afraid to grapple with the hard questions and—eventually—adjust accordingly. We’ve come far, and while there is yet so much more ground to discover and even so much ground that needs to be retaken, it’s not too late. Then again, part of this love is the love “so natural to a man who views in it the native soil of himself and his progenitors for several generations.” (George Washington’s Farewell Address, last paragraph)

Libertatem Fidelium: I love America because it is a land of freedom and innovation and a place where almost anything is possible. As bad as we might think it is sometimes, it’s still a place of incredible freedom and wealth and comfort. We Americans have a lot to be grateful for.

Libertatem Hortus: Because for all its faults, there has been far too much blood and tears put into the ideals of liberty to let it die. It is not for the cruel that I love America, but for the vast unspoken kindness of heroes that I love it.

Vir Patriae: America is my homeland. 

How has America weathered hard times before? 

Domina Libertas: By remembering her roots, where she’s come from and also how far she’s come. And at the same time, by keeping her eyes on the vision: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As we remember where we’ve come from, and where we’re going, it’s easier to navigate all the drama in between, whether that’s a civil war or a world war, the civil rights movement or the space race.

Libertatem Duco: Through unifying, through mobilizing, through creating, and through educating. From the wars that we faced to the domestic reforms that needed to be made, America has always honored those who sacrificed themselves for others, not just in the present, but the future. 

Libertatem Fidelium: Americans weather hard hard times by turning to what is most important: God, family, and freedom. By putting what is most important first in our priorities, our sights will be clear for the future.

Libertatem Hortus: Among other things such as God, pulling together. Division has never made America better, but pulling together in unity has done a lot to make things better. Especially when the majority decides to be kind first, and selfish second.

Vir Patriae: John Adams states: “You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.” Our ancestors had the audacity to stand against the most powerful country in the world, suing for freedom, and paid dearly for it. Americans had to suffer many long years to ensure their liberties, many were killed, disfigured, ruined, or defaced, and many were unable to recover. Through the grace of God, they ended the war victorious, and their selfless struggle was vindicated.