By Douglas V. Gibbs
During the first few weeks of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 the bickering among the delegates was horrendous. Nothing was getting done. The new nation needed solutions and the men present were arguing over matters that would not matter if the country collapsed. Finally, the elder statesman, Benjamin Franklin, who had been watching the tumultuous beginnings of the convention with patience, and in silence, spoke up. "Gentlemen, we are missing something."
Franklin knew that in order to move forward the battling delegates needed to find a common bond that was both inspirational, and demanded virtuous action. He reminded the delegates of the Revolution, and how all odds were against the states that had united for war defeating the mightiest war power on Earth. Yet, with the Hand of Divine Providence guiding them, and protecting them, the newly formed union of states defeated the British, and stood at the gateway of an exceptional existence. But as those men were fighting over the dangers, and benefits, of a central government, they had forgotten to place the proceedings in the Hands of God.
Benjamin Franklin recounted all of the miracles of America, and explained how after four or five weeks of bickering, and disagreements, on virtually every issue brought to the floor, no matter how minor, it simply proved that human understanding is imperfect. He commented on how they had studied history for examples of good and bad government, including the different forms of republics. He went on to say that they had also looked at the current systems of government throughout Europe. No system studied, however, was perfectly suitable for the needs of the fledgling United States.
Even with all of that research, Franklin observed, they were still unable to find the political truth they sought. How is it that they could not find the answer? Could it be that something was missing?
Should they, perhaps, humbly appeal to The Creator? Should they not consult the "Father of lights to illuminate our understandings?"
The American Revolution began with a sense of danger, and the founders, Franklin reminded the delegates, were on their knees in daily prayer. The prayers were heard, for only His Favor could account for their victory.
Now, continued Franklin, they were "consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance?"
Benjamin Franklin was not known to be a religious man, and he admitted that in his younger years he did not give much thought to the credence of the existence of God. But, as he had grown older, his observations were telling him otherwise. To explain this, Franklin said, "I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?"
Without God, he assured his fellow delegates, "We labor in vain." Without God, the government formed by the convention would fail. Without God they would be divided, bickering over little partial local interests. Without God, the greatness that could be the United States would be lost to future generations.
Benjamin Franklin, the celebrated "deist", then recommended that they pray before each session of the convention.
After the motion was seconded, an interesting development occurred.
I am no fan of Alexander Hamilton. I believe he was a monarchist, and worse, a statist that would fit right in with today's liberal left Marxists of the Democrat Party. Hamilton was ultimately disappointed by the Constitutional Convention, because he believed the federal government created by the Constitution was not strong enough. Not big enough. He even, during the convention, stated that the executive should be king.
Hamilton, and a number of others that shared his political views, after Mr. Franklin's proposal was seconded, expressed their apprehensions about praying before each session of the convention. Statists tend to have apprehensions about Faith in God. Remember, it was the Democrat Party, the party of big government, that had to vote at their national convention, on whether or not to return God to their platform. And when it was deemed God would be returned, about half of the auditorium booed.
Statists tend to be anti-God. Big Government does not like competition.
In the end, the delegates decided that no clergy could be hired, partly due to a lack of funds, and therefore a formal prayer before each session of the Constitutional Convention was not possible. Nonetheless, refusing to allow that to stop them from seeking God's Will before continuing, the delegates walked to the nearest church, and congregated there for a prayer.
Later in America's journey, based on Franklin's request, the tradition of prayer before each session of Congress was initiated.
The men of the Constitutional Convention, including the Hamiltonians, did share a few traits, in those days. They were patriots. Like the signers of the Declaration of Independence, they were willing to lay down their lives, lose their fortunes, and stand on their Sacred Honor for the ideas contained in those documents. The taste of liberty was different for those men. They understood tyranny first hand, and the chain of bondage had to be broken. It was necessary, in the minds of these men, that America be a land of freedom and opportunity. It was their goal for the United States to be the shining beacon up on the hill, not only promoting freedom for herself, but the rest of the world, as well.
The founders also were not working to establish liberty only for themselves, but for the future generations of America. The Preamble of the Constitution states that with that document they endeavored to "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity."
They were willing to put everything on the line for that freedom. The idea of self-governance was so important that they made sure it was known that they were willing to put everything on the line for it. The final sentence of the Declaration of Independence reads, "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
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