Principles Behind the Constitution

Though the Constitution of the United States came to be written as a collaboration of comprise, debate, and philosophical reasoning, nothing like it had ever been before written. As such, many of its ideas and principles were novel and were not thought up and written down over night. The Founding Fathers of our nation wrestled in heated discussion and debate over several essential principles of this country, before they even began the writing of the Constitution.

The most basic, underlying, and foundational of these essential principles was the concept that the United States must have a government. Though they agreed on this, the Founding Father wrestled with a key aspect of this principle. How were they to form a government where they could enjoy the benefits of structure and organization while avoiding the effects of the natural tendencies of human nature for corruption. Having recognized this, next was the arduous task of choosing a form of government that fit their needs.

In examining various types of governments, one of the core elements addressed was the issue of sovereignty. Who would ultimately have the final say? As one writer expressed, “Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” From very recent experience the colonists were well aware of the danger of placing so much power in the hands of one individual. Though some expressed desire for a strong central government, many of the Founding Fathers took into consideration the need for a balance of political powers.

In wrestling with the principles necessary to create the Constitution, the Founding Fathers had to grapple with three essential concepts. These were government, freedom, and human nature. Through significant research, they examined the structure and possibilities of four types of governments, including autocracy, classical republicanism, libertarianism, and liberalism. Each one of these options presented incredibly important points of view and ideas for consideration. Yet, not one of these alternatives of governmental form answered all the questions the Founding Fathers had concerning the principles they had established as necessary to create the Constitution. In short, the system of government for which they were looking, did not yet exist.

Another principle the Founding Fathers wrestled with before writing the Constitution was that of political economy. They recognized that government set bounds for people by laws, courts, and police. In bringing political theory and economics together, they had first looked and structure, analyzing why certain governments work better than others. Participation was decided as a key component of this principle. This would inevitably result if the citizens were able to attain a sense of ownership. The importance of laws was also addressed. It was agreed that laws must be by common consent, but that they must be implied impartially. This would especially come to play a significant role in the conflict over the “Rule of Law.” Rule of Law is the idea that no one is above the law.

Other significant principles considered by the Founding Fathers before they drafted the Constitution included custom and tradition, a moral sense, and leadership. Custom and tradition is what binds people together in a society, as one nation. It brings unity and loyalty, which are essential to the success of any governed group. The Founding Fathers recognized the critical need for a moral sense to exist among the people. If government was to structured upon the consent of the governed, it was then absolutely essential to establish common ground as to what people view as right and wrong. Finally, leadership is one of the fundamental keys to progression in any society. Leaders must possess the quality of vision, to lead the people forward to a successful future.

Before the Founding Fathers could even begin to write the Constitution for the United States, they wrestled with several principles upon which the revered document would come to be built. They intended to tackle the problem of government once and for all. Through the fundamental principles they examined, the Founding Fathers recognized that they would not be able to anticipate everything. They would have to develop a form of government requiring the possibility of adaptation.

John Adams

I absolutely loved the movie, John Adams, based on the biography by David McCulloch. I have such a passion for this time period in American history, and this film just really brought it to life for me. I enjoyed comparing the John Adams I have been taught with how he was portrayed by this particular actor, as well as seeing how certain key phrases were used by the characters to get across very specific messages.

When I learned about John Adams in my early schooling, I was taught that he played a role in the First and Second Continental Congress, that he signed the Declaration of Independence, and that he eventually became the second president of the United States. I also was taught about his relationship with Abigail, and the significance of their faithful correspondence. As far as his personality was concerned, I was taught in eighth grade how he had a very hot temper, was easily offended, and often let this volatile anger get in the way of relations with others. For example, he and Thomas Jefferson, who began as very close friends, quickly became the worst of enemies during their respective presidential terms (although it would be very difficult to have the man you ran against for president serving as your vice president).

Through my reading of the excerpt from McCulloch’s book, information in our text book, and from watching this movie, I was amazed at how I have seemed to slightly overlook just what an incredible impact John Adams had on our nation’s achieving their independence. He was a brilliant man, yet, still a family man as well. I am so impressed with his love for Abigail and in what high esteem he held her and her political opinions. The movie portrayed Adams just as I’ve pictured him: rather small in stature with a round frame, and a quick temper apparent from a face that could turn bright red in an instant.
Watching the movie really helped me get an inside view of his perspective. How frustrating it was for him to try and convince the others to take action. His family was on the very edge of the conflict erupting in Massachusetts and he sought action against Britain but understood the very treason he was committing in even mentioning it. Meanwhile the other delegates were all from diverse backgrounds, different motives, and very different views. His inexhaustible determination to do whatever it would take to convince these other delegates of the necessity for action is truly inspiring.

It was very interesting to watch the development of his relationship with the ever-wise Benjamin Franklin, the reserved yet passionate Thomas Jefferson, and the humble and dependable George Washington. I liked the foreshadowing when Jefferson said he had not spoken because he is not eloquent in speech. Despite this weakness, Adams acknowledged and utilized his remarkable gift of the written word. Watching the movie also helped me to see what our textbook describes of how Adams chose and helped to make Washington general of the Continental Army. I had previously thought it was mostly because of his reputation as a military genius. It was that, and much more. Adams saw the advantage of gaining the support from the other delegates by heavily involving Virginia, the most prominent of the colonies. He also recognized his humility, determination, and willingness to serve.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie. I really feel I have come away with a heightened understanding of the phenomenal process of America achieving her independence from Britain. Truly, men like John Adams were divinely inspired.

Types and Shadows Exhibit at Museum of Art

I had such a wonderful experience on our excursion to the Museum of Art on Wednesday. I love art anyway, but so intrigued by the insight we received on the tour. It was especially neat to hear all of the comments of my classmates and their perspectives coming from different backgrounds and academic interests. I gained a lot from the exhibit, both academically and on a spiritual level.
The portion of the Types and Shadows exhibit that stood out to me the most was the section with the paintings detailing the Savior’s parable of the Prodigal Son. There were two paintings in a row and across from each other that I especially focused in on and compared with one another. One of them of them seemed very abstract; it was divided into three panels and had apples, grapes, glasses of wine, a miniature “fatted-calf,” and blue cloth, all different shades and gradations of color. At first I was confused by its meaning. My first impression of the painting was quite a different interpretation than several of my fellow classmates ended up mentioning; however, my ideas opened up an important insight for me personally. I viewed the three panels instinctively as the three phases of our life: the pre-existence, life on earth, and life in the world to come. The dreary, dull, vague colors of the middle panel made me think of this, especially when compared with the images of the vibrant, ripe fruit in the adjoining panel.
I then turned my attention to another painting depicting the father embracing the prodigal son with such sincere love and tenderness. The prodigal son has one foot on the stair, and his father has come down one stair to meet his son. A deeper meaning of this piece suddenly dawned on me. I immediately saw the connection between the father and our Savior. He is reaching out, ready to receive the son and even comes part of the way down to embrace him with open arms. A flood of thoughts connecting the scriptural story and these two paintings flowed through my mind and resulted in quite the spiritual epiphany.
As simple as it seems to me now, I realized an important application I have always missed with this parable of the prodigal son. Whenever I have studied it in Sunday School or in my own personal study, I have always heard it applied to wayward children, or those who leave the church and need to be welcomed back into the fold with open arms. I guess I’ve thought about it, but it’s never completely occurred to me that each of us is the prodigal son. It has a very real personal application. We all fall short, we’ve all gone astray. Jesus Christ is there the whole way through, waiting to welcome us home. Through his atonement, we can be forgiven, and He will welcome us with open arms into His sincere, loving embrace.
I thought it was an amazing experience that the types and shadows represented in these two paintings really brought me to the realization that I have been missing a very significant personal application in a parable I have studied all my life. I appreciate the beauty and the deeper understanding that this terrific experience brought to me.

Revolution of Sober Expectations

I’ve always thought quite literally about the American war for independence as a full out revolution. What I never stopped to consider, however, was that it was actually more of a half revolution. Winning the war did not result overnight in the incredible system by which the Founding Fathers set up our nation. The Declaration of Independence was simply that, a declaration that the colonists would no longer stand to be governed by the tyrannical rule of Britain. It does not specify what type of government is best, or even which we would be adopting. It took over a decade to go rationally, soberly, from a half revolution, to the Constitution we are governed by today.
The founding fathers were truly intelligent and inspired men. They knew well the corrupt nature and tendencies of men. Well did Benjamin Franklin observe that, “If men were angels, we’d need no government; but men aren’t angels.” In this critical observance, the Founding Fathers were realists. They realized they couldn’t possibly set up a utopian civilization. As such, they did all the research, thinking, debating, and reasoning necessary to create a governmental framework that would protect the natural rights and individual liberties of the people. They researched the words of ancient and modern philosophies, the histories and success or failures of past governments. Another aspect of their sober expectations for this constitution I found intriguing was the concept of man’s equality. Thomas Jefferson penned the words “We hold these truths to be self-evident” as the opening phrase of the Declaration of Independence. But what did they mean by self-evident? The Founding Fathers expected these truths to be self-evident by the people living it, and establishing it in their lives.
I have often wondered what the Founding Fathers defined as equality in each of their minds as they created the Constitution. Clearly, it did not mean, at least to many of them, what it means to us today. This is evident by the rights of women at the time, the social status of society, and the fact that several of the Founding Fathers owned many slaves. In setting up the framework of this nation, they believe that equity is defined by the idea that we are all equal in that we are equally free. Every decision does not need unanimous or even majority support. They just needed consent to institute government. The idea of sober expectations implies the understanding that there is no pure democracy. A terrific example of the ingenious caution taken with the realist view that men naturally fall prey to corruption is the set up of elections every two years for Congressional members. This keeps them honest by using their vanity to force them to listen to their constituency. I am so grateful for the Founding Fathers, and for their sober expectations in setting up our Constitution and laying the foundation for this incredible nation.

Declaration of Independence

Though I have always considered the Declaration of Independence perhaps the most important document ever produced in America, it is even more awe-inspiring to consider its creation in terms of its meaning for humanity as a whole. Thomas Jefferson was not just writing for the colonists who sought liberty from the oppression of Britain; he wrote that all men are "created equal" and are "endowed with certain inalienable rights." I find the use of these phrases interesting when several of the founding fathers, including Jefferson, owned slaves; however, I understand that a clear definition of freedom and equality for all men (and women) would be a progressive process spanning the next about two hundred years. I was therefore very intrigued to read for the first time Thomas Jefferson's original draft of the Declaration of Independence. In it, he lays the fault of the issue of slavery at the door of the British. This arouses within me deep curiosity as to Jefferson's true feelings about slavery. Was he conforming to social and political pressures? Did he have mixed feelings on the issues of the equality and inherent rights of all men?
I am so incredibly grateful for the courage, the integrity, the faith of the founding fathers who gambled their lives, families, and honor by signing their names to that famed document. The truths they compiled into that philosophical masterpiece are a testament to God's hand in the reshaping of not only America, but the very human race. It changed the way every individual viewed themselves as well as their role in society. The Declaration of Indpendence was truly an inspired work that set into motion events that would lay a groundwork that would eventually make possible the restoration of the gospel. That sacred document stands for every man's right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I hope I never come to take for granted the freedoms I enjoy, and that it wasn't an immediate result of a decision to take a stand. It was a painstaking process of lives lost, debate, and slow progress that even still continues to seek for improvement. The divinely inspired Declaration of Independence is the cornerstone of this remarkable, free nation and the world we live in today.