Founding Issues
Virtue

1. "The aggregate happiness of society, which is best promoted by the practice of a virtuous policy, is, or ought to be, the end of all Government."
   - George Washington, United States Founding Father,"Maxims of Washington", John Frederick Schroeder, D.D., collector and arranger, 1854, p.17
2. "Indeed moral virtue is substantially and essentially enforced by the precepts of Christianity, and may be considered to be the basis of it. But in addition to moral principles, the Christian doctrines inculcate a purity of heart and holiness of life which constitutes its chief glory. When we contemplate it in this light, we have a most striking evidence of its superiority over all the systems of pagan philosophy, which were promulgated by the wisest men of ancient times."
   - Zephaniah Swift, United States Founding Father, author of America's first law book, "The Correspondent", (Windham: John Byrne, 1793), p. 119.
3. "It is apprehended that Jews, Mahometans, pagans, &c., may be elected to high offices under the government of the United States. Those who are Mahometans, or any others who are not professors of the Christian religion, can never be elected to the office of President or other high office, but in one of two cases. First, if the people of America lay aside the Christian religion altogether, it may happen. Should this unfortunately take place, the people will choose such men as think as they do themselves. Another case is if any persons of such descriptions should, notwithstanding their religion, acquire the confidence and esteem of the people of America by their good conduct and practice of virtue, they may be chosen."
   - Samuel Johnston, United States Founding Father, Govenor of North Carolina, "The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution", Jonathan Elliot, editor (Washington, D. C.: Jonathan Elliot, 1836), Vol. IV, pp. 198-199, Governor Samuel Johnston, July 30, 1788.
4. " “What is an oath?” ... [I]t is founded on a degree of consciousness that there is a Power above us that will reward our virtues or punish our vices. ... [O]ur system of oaths in all our courts, by which we hold liberty and property and all our rights, are founded on or rest on Christianity and a religious belief."
   - Daniel Webster, "Defender of the Constitution", "Mr. Webster’s Speech in Defence of the Christian Ministry and in Favor of the Religious Instruction of the Young, Delivered in the Supreme Court of the United States, February 10, 1844, in the Case of Stephen Girard’s Will", (Washington: Gales and Seaton, 1844), pp. 43, 51.
5. (Strikingly, this request from Congress to the President was made the same day that Congress approved the final wording of the First Amendment. This clearly demonstrates that the same body which framed that Amendment did not believe that it was a violation for Congress to call for a national religious time of Thanksgiving.) The Congressional resolution was delivered to President Washington who heartily concurred with its request. On October 3, 1789, he issued the following proclamation: 116 ORIGINAL INTENT Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor. ... Now, therefore, I do recommend ... that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed. ... And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions ... to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue."
   - George Washington, Washington, Writings (1838), Vol. XII, pp. 119-120, October 3, 1789; see also James D. Richardson, A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents, 1789-1897 (Published by Authority of Congress, 1899), Vol. I, p. 64, October 3, 1789.
6. "I have read your manuscript with some attention. By the argument it contains against a particular Providence, though you allow a general Providence, you strike at the foundations of all religion. For without the belief of a Providence that takes cognizance of, guards, and guides, and may favor particular persons, there is no motive to worship a Deity, to fear his displeasure, or to pray for his protection. I will not enter into any discussion of your principles, though you seem to desire it. At present I shall only give you my opinion that ... the consequence of printing this piece will be a great deal of odium [hate] drawn upon yourself, mischief to you, and no benefit to others. He that spits into the wind, spits in his own face. But were you to succeed, do you imagine any good would be done by it? ... [T]hink how great a portion of mankind consists of weak and ignorant men and women and of inexperienced, inconsiderate youth of both sexes who have need of the motives of religion to restrain them from vice, to support their virtue. ... I would advise you, therefore, not to attempt unchaining the tiger, but to burn this piece before it is seen by any other person. ... If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be if without it. I intend this letter itself as a proof of my friendship."
   - Benjamin Franklin, "The Works of Benjamin Franklin", Jared Sparks, editor (Boston: Tappan, Whittemore and Mason, 1840), Vol. X, pp. 281-282, to Thomas Paine in 1790.
7. "The Christian religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity, let the Blackguard Paine say what he will."
   - John Adams, "The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States", Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1856), Vol. III, p. 421, diary entry for July 26, 1796 on Thomas Paine's "Age of Reason".
8. "[T]he only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty, and liberty is the object and life of all republican governments. Without religion, I believe that learning does real mischief to the morals and principles of mankind."
   - Benjamin Rush, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Rush, "Essays, Literary, Moral and Philosophical", (Philadelphia: Thomas and Samuel F. Bradford, 1798), p. 8, “On the Mode of Education Proper in a Republic.” Benjamin Rush, "Letters of Benjamin Rush", L. H. Butterfield, editor (Princeton, New Jersey: American Philosophical Society, 1951), Vol. I, p. 294, to John Armstrong on March 19, 1783; see also James Henry Morgan, "Dickinson College: The History of One Hundred and Fifty Years 1783-1933", (Carlisle, PA: Dickinson College, 1933), p. 11.
9. "[R]eligion and virtue are the only foundations ... of republicanism and of all free governments."
   - John Adams, "The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States", Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1854), Vol. IX, p. 636, to Benjamin Rush on August 28, 1811.
10. "The great pillars of all government and of social life ... [are] virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible."
    - Patrick Henry, Moses Coit Tyler, "Patrick Henry" (New York: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1897), p. 409, to Archibald Blair on January 8, 1799.
11. "As guardians of the prosperity, liberty, and morals of the State, we are therefore bound by every injunction of patriotism and wisdom ... to patronize public improvements and to cherish all institutions for the diffusion of religious knowledge and for the promotion of virtue and piety."
    - Daniel Tompkins, United States Founding Father, Governor of New York, Vice-President of the United States, "The Speeches of the Different Governors to the Legislature of the State of New York, Commencing with Those of George Clinton and Continued Down to the Present Time", (Albany: J. B. Van Steenbergh, 1825), p. 136, Governor Daniel Tompkins on November 5, 1816.
12. "Let ... statesmen and patriots unite their endeavors to renovate the age by ... educating their little boys and girls ...[and] leading them in the study and practice of the exalted virtues of the Christian system."
    - Samuel Adams, United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", Governor of Massachusetts, Samuel Adams and John Adams, "Four Letters: Being an Interesting Correspondence Between Those Eminently Distinguished Characters, John Adams, Late President of the United States; and Samuel Adams, Late Governor of Massachusetts. On the Important Subject of Government", (Boston: Adams and Rhoades, 1802), pp. 9-10.
13. "We regard it [public instruction] as a wise and liberal system of police by which property, and life, and the peace of society are secured. We seek to prevent in some measure the extension of the penal code by inspiring a salutary and conservative principle of virtue and of knowledge in an early age. ... By general instruction we seek, as far as possible, to purify the whole moral atmosphere ... and to turn the strong current of feeling and opinion, as well as the censures of the law and the denunciations of religion, against immorality and crime."
    - Daniel Webster, "The Works of Daniel Webster", (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1853), Vol. I, p. 42, from a discourse delivered December 22, 1820.
14. "Had I a voice that could be heard from New Hampshire to Georgia, it should be exerted in urging the necessity of disseminating virtue and knowledge among our citizens. On this subject, the policy of the eastern States is well worthy of imitation. The wise people of that extremity of the union never form a new township without making arrangements that secure to its inhabitants the instruction of youth and the public preaching of the gospel. Hence their children are early taught to know their rights and to respect themselves. They grow up good members of society and staunch defenders of their country’s cause."
    - David Ramsay, United States Founding Father, Revolutionary War Surgeon, Member of the Continental Congress, "An Oration Delivered in St. Michael’s Church Before the Inhabitants of Charleston, South Carolina, on the Fourth of July 1794" (Charleston: W. P. Young, 1794), p. 19.
15. "Sensible of the importance of Christian piety and virtue to the order and happiness of a state, I cannot but earnestly commend to you every measure for their support and encouragement. ... [T]he very existence of the republics ... depend much upon the public institutions of religion."
    - John Hancock, Independent Chronicle (Boston), November 2, 1780, last page; see also Abram English Brown, "John Hancock, His Book", (Boston: Lee and Shepard, 1898), p. 269.
16. "The promulgation of the great doctrines of religion, the being, and attributes, and providence of one Almighty God; the responsibility to Him for all our actions, founded upon moral accountability; a future state of rewards and punishments; the cultivation of all the personal, social, and benevolent virtues; these never can be a matter of indifference in any well-ordered community. It is indeed difficult to conceive how any civilized society can well exist without them. And, at all events, it is impossible for those who believe in the truth of Christianity as a Divine revelation, to doubt that it is the especial duty of government to foster and encourage it among all the citizens and subjects. "
    - Joseph Story, United States Supreme Court Justice, "Father of American Jurisprudence", "A Familiar Exposition of the Constitution of the United States", (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1854), p. 260, §442.
17. "I had the honor of being one among many who framed that Constitution. ... In order effectually to accomplish these great ends, it is incumbent upon us to begin wisely and to proceed in the fear of God; and it is especially the duty of those who bear rule to promote and encourage piety [respect for God] and virtue and to discountenance every degree of vice and immorality."
    - Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress, Selected as delegate to the Constitutional Convention, U.S. Diplomat, "The Papers of Henry Laurens", George C. Rogers, Jr., and David R. Chesnutt, editors (Columbia, S. C.: University of South Carolina Press, 1980), Vol. XI, p. 200, in a letter to Oliver Hart and Elharan Winchester on March 30, 1776.
18. "[It is] the duty of all wise, free, and virtuous governments to countenance and encourage virtue and religion."
    - John Jay, United States Founding Father, Original Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, "The Speeches of the Different Governors to the Legislature of the State of New York, Commencing with Those of George Clinton and Continued Down to the Present Time", (Albany: J. B. Van Steenbergh, 1825), p. 66, Governor John Jay on November 4, 1800.
19. "[W]hatsoever State among us shall continue to make piety [respect for God] and virtue the standard of public honor will enjoy the greatest inward peace, the greatest national happiness, and in every outward conflict will discover the greatest constitutional strength."
    - John Witherspoon, United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "The Works of John Witherspoon", (Edinburgh: J. Ogle, 1815), Vol. IV, p. 270, from his “Sermon Delivered at Public Thanksgiving After Peace.”
20. "See David Hume’s writings on morals throughout; where, besides leaving out entirely our duty to God (which he hath in common with many other late writers), he expressly founds justice upon power and conveniency, derides chastity, and turns many of the most important virtues into vices."
    - John Witherspoon, United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "The Works of John Witherspoon", (Edinburgh: J. Ogle, 1815), Vol. V, p. 242, from “The Absolute Necessity of Salvation Through Christ,” January 2, 1758, on David Hume's errors.
21. "[I]f we cannot aspire at his talents as a General, a President, or a Statesman, we may imitate his virtues as a man, a citizen, and a Christian."
    - Abiel Holmes, United States Founding Father, Revolutionary War Surgeon, Historian, "The Counsel of Washington, Recommended in a Discourse Delivered at Cambridge, February 22, 1800", (Boston: Samuel Hall, 1800), p. 20, Speaking of George Washington.
22. "We have seen that his private life was marked in an eminent degree with the practice of the moral virtues. ... He taught (and his own practice corresponded with his doctrine) that the foundation of national policy can be laid only in the pure and immutable principles of private morality."
    - Jeremiah Smith, United States Founding Father, Revolutionary War Soldier, Judge, U.S. Congressman, Governor of New Hampshire, "Eulogies and Orations on the Life and Death of General George Washington", (Boston: Manning and Loring, 1800), p. 190, from an oration delivered by Jeremiah Smith on February 22, 1800, Speaking of George Washington.
23. "The private virtues of this great man exactly corresponded with those exhibited in public life. ... To crown all these moral virtues, he had the deepest sense of religion impressed on his heart; the true foundation-stone of all the moral virtues. This he constantly manifested on all proper occasions."
    - Jonathan Sewell, United States Founding Father, Attorney, "Eulogies and Orations on the Life and Death of General George Washington", (Boston: Manning and Loring, 1800), pp. 36-37, from an eulogy by Jonathan Mitchell Sewell on December 31, 1799, speaking of George Washington.
24. "The purity of his private character gave effulgence to [was revealed by] his public virtue."
    - Henry Lee, United States Founding Father, Major-General under George Washington in the Revolutionary War, "Eulogies and Orations on the Life and Death of General George Washington", (Boston: Manning and Loring, 1800), p. 17, from an oration by Major-General Henry Lee on December 26, 1799.
25. "[H]is character will remain to all ages a model of human virtue, untarnished with a single vice."
    - John Quincy Adams, "Writings of John Quincy Adams", Worthington Chauncey Ford, editor (NY: The MacMillan Company, 1913), Vol. II, p. 451, n., to Joseph Pitcairn on February 4, 1800.
26. "[I]t is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. Religion and virtue are the only foundations ... of republicanism and of all free governments."
    - John Adams, "The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States", Charles Frances Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1854), Vol. IX p. 401, to Zabdiel Adams on June 21, 1776. "The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States", Charles Frances Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1854), Vol. IX p. 636, to Benjamin Rush on August 28, 1811.
27. "Religion and good morals are the only solid foundations of public liberty and happiness. [N]either the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt. A general dissolution of the principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous, they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader."
    - Samuel Adams, United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, "Father of the American Revolution", "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1905), Vol. IV, p. 74, to John Trumbull on October 16, 1778, William V. Wells, "The Life and Public Service of Samuel Adams", (Boston: Little, Brown, & Co., 1865), Vol. I, p. 22, quoting from a political essay by Samuel Adams published in "The Public Advertiser", 1748. "The Writings of Samuel Adams", Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1905), Vol. IV, p. 124, to James Warren on February 12, 1779.
28. "Truth, honor, and religion are the only foundation to build human happiness upon. They never fail to yield a mind solid satisfaction, for conscious virtue gives pleasure to the soul."
    - Nathanael Green, United States Founding Father, Revolutionary War General, Nathanael Greene, "The Papers of General Nathanael Greene", Richard K. Showman, editor (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1976), Vol. I, p. 182, to Catherine Ward Greene on January 13, 1776.
29. "Righteousness alone can exalt them [Americans] as a nation. Reader! Whoever thou art, remember this; and in thy sphere practise virtue thyself, and encourage it in others. [T]he great pillars of all government and of social life: I mean virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible."
    - Patrick Henry, "Patrick Henry: Life, Correspondence and Speeches", William Wirt Henry, editor (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1891), Vol. I, p. 82, from a handwritten endorsement on the back of the paper containing the resolutions of the Virginia Assembly in 1765 concerning the Stamp Act, "Patrick Henry: Life, Correspondence and Speeches", William Wirt Henry, editor (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1891), Vol. II, p. 592, to Archibald Blair on January 8, 1799.
30. "We are now to rank among the nations of the world; but whether our Independence shall prove a blessing or a curse must depend upon our own wisdom or folly, virtue or wickedness. ... Justice and virtue are the vital principles of republican government."
    - George Mason, United States Founding Father, Constitutional Convention Delegate, "Father of the Bill of Rights", "Patrick Henry: Life, Correspondence and Speeches", William Wirt Henry, editor (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1891), Vol. II, p. 185, from George Mason to Patrick Henry, May 6, 1783.
31. "It is certainly true that a popular government cannot flourish without virtue in the people."
    - Richard Henry Lee, United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, President of the Continental Congress, "The Letters of Richard Henry Lee", James Curtis Ballagh, editor (New York: The MacMillan Company, 1914), Vol. II, p. 411, to Colonel Martin Pickett on March 5, 1786.
32. "[C]herish and promote the interest of knowledge, virtue and religion. They are indispensable to the support of any free government. ... Let it never be forgotten that there can be no genuine freedom where there is no morality, and no sound morality where there is no religion. ... Hesitate not a moment to believe that the man who labors to destroy these two great pillars of human happiness ... is neither a good patriot nor a good man."
    - Jeremiah Smith, United States Founding Father, Revolutionary War Soldier, Judge, U.S. Congressman, Governor of New Hampshire, "[A] Selection of Orations and Eulogies Pronounced in Different Parts of the United States In Commemoration of the Life, Virtue, and Preeminent Services of Gen. George Washington.", Charles Humphrey Atherton, editor (Amherst: Samuel Preston, 1800), p. 81, from an oration by Jeremiah Smith, February 22, 1800.
33. "[T]he [federal] government ... can never be in danger of degenerating ... so long as there shall remain any virtue in the body of the people."
    - George Washington, "The Writings of George Washington", John C. Fitzpatrick, editor (Washington: U. S. Government Printing Office, 1936), Vol. XXIX, p. 410, to Marquis de Lafayette on February 7, 1788.
34. "[D]emocracy will soon degenerate into an anarchy, such an anarchy that every man will do what is right in his own eyes and no man’s life or property or reputation or liberty will be secure, and every one of these will soon mould itself into a system of subordination of all the moral virtues and intellectual abilities, all the powers of wealth, beauty, wit, and science, to the wanton pleasures, the capricious will, and the execrable [abominable] cruelty of one or a very few."
    - John Adams, John Adams, The Papers of John Adams, Robert J. Taylor, editor (Cambridge: Belknap Press, 1977), Vol. I, p. 83, from “An Essay on Man’s Lust for Power, with the Author’s Comment in 1807,” written on August 29, 1763, but first published by John Adams in 1807.
35. "Shun all giddy, loose and wicked company; they will corrupt and lead you into vice and bring you to ruin. Seek the company of sober, virtuous and good people, who will always show you examples of rectitude of conduct and propriety of behavior which will lead to solid happiness."
    - Thomas Stone, United States Founding Father, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, John Sanderson, "Biography of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence", (Philadelphia: R. W. Pomeroy, 1824), Vol. IX, p. 333, Thomas Stone to his son, October 1787.
36. "VIRTUE, ... 3. Moral goodness; the practice of moral duties and the abstaining from vice, or a conformity of life and conversation to the moral law. In this sense, virtue may be, and in many instances must be, distinct from religion. The practice of moral duties from the sincere love to God and his laws, is virtue and religion. In this sense it is true, "That virtue only makes our bliss belwo. Pope. Virtue is nothing but voluntary obedience to the truth. Dwaight. .... "
    - Noah Webster, United States Founding Father, Revolutionary War Soldier, Judge, Educator, "American Dictionary of the English Language", 1828

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