A Moral and Conservative Conscience

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Author, Speaker, Instructor, Radio Host

March 2-4 the California Republican Assembly will be holding their annual convention in Buena Park, California. I will be in attendance, and the following article is regarding that gathering, so we understand the importance of what we do, and how we go about it.

Ronald Reagan often referred to the California Republican Assembly as being "The Conscience of the Republican Party." A conscience is that inner voice, that feeling we all have about the rightness, and wrongness, of our actions and thoughts. What Reagan was saying was that as the Republican Party goes about its business, it is the California Republican Assembly that has been there to guide the party, and to make sure it remains on a moral and constitutional path.

With so many obstacles along the political path in today's volatile political atmosphere, it sometimes seems difficult to imagine that on September 17, 1787, when our United States Constitution was signed by the delegates of the convention, and was ready to be sent out to the States for ratification, even then there was significant opposition to the document.  During that time period, there were a number of folks concerned about the implications of creating a new federal government.  Some desired the central government to be a strong and powerful entity, and others feared that the new federal government would become tyrannical and encroach upon the Natural Rights of the citizens.  

The division of political ideologies existed back then, as they do, now.  There were those who called for a stronger centralized government.  The Constitution itself was born during an age of crisis.  The British Empire refused to recognize the sovereignty of the United States, and was simply waiting for the experiment of self-rule to collapse.  The British leadership fully expected the petulant colonies to fail and come crawling back to Mother England.  The American economy was in shambles, and on the verge of collapse.  Some States, with inflation raging out of control, were preparing to consider secession from the union before the country ever got a foothold under its new existence.  There were trade disputes, shattered hopes, and strong suspicions about the convention to create a new government going on in Philadelphia at Independence Hall behind closed doors and shuttered windows.

Patrick Henry refused to attend the convention, and after it was all over, George Mason refused to sign the document.  There were fears that the sovereignty of the States would be in danger, and that freedom gained by the Revolution would be lost in a committee of politicians.

While modern-day Americans imagine that there was harmony and collective agreement during the Constitutional Convention, the reality is that it was full of division and difficulty.  During the first four to five weeks the disagreements were so fierce that little was accomplished, and it wasn't until Benjamin Franklin recommended they pray before each session of the convention that work began to finally move forward.  Even then, there was disagreement.  Alexander Hamilton, offended that the delegates would desire to reach out to the impropriety of a spiritual entity for guidance, quipped that the new country was not in need of "foreign aid."

Despite the differences and fierce debates, the delegates came together to create a document that would profoundly and forever alter the path of the new union of States in America, but it would light a shining beacon of liberty that could be seen around the globe.  The American Revolution had been put down into words, and the construction of the American Republic's Constitution sent tremors throughout the world, inspiring dreams of liberty in other places of the planet, and it elevated the hopes for a better life not only in the United States, but beyond her shores.

Thomas Jefferson recognized the importance of equality in the new country when he penned the words in the Declaration of Independence that "all men are created equal."  But, he was not providing a template for equality based on man's definition of equality, but based on the Creator's definition of equality.  The dreams of the Framers of the Constitution was that God-given Natural Rights would be enjoyed by all people, someday, and theirs was a blueprint to begin that new revolution of liberty.  Those dreams have remained in the morals of a Godly conscience that has navigated this country through many difficult waters, bringing us to today, this moment in time, when still the question of being created equal and being endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights remains a challenge in the face of an opposition that has been convinced that the Constitution is an antiquated oppressive document.

The delegates had labored for four months during the heat and humidity of the Philadelphia summer.  They knew they were creating something phenomenal, and they knew that the Hand of Divine Providence was with them.

Since the Constitutional Convention of 1787, with the passing of each generation, issues have become more complex, and the opposition to the liberty the Constitution presents has become more fierce.  

While no system is perfect, the United States Constitution has proven to be the system that has worked best in history when it comes to promoting, preserving, and protecting liberty.  Sometimes we are led astray, but our conscience always leads us back to conservative principles and the United States Constitution. Winston Churchill once said, "You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else."

Thomas Jefferson also realized that sometimes Americans, during our journey, may be tempted to step off course.  However, he had faith in We the People, that we would realize our errors, and follow our conscience back to the principles of liberty.  He once wrote, "The good sense of the people will always be found to be the best army.  They may be led astray for a moment, but will soon correct themselves."

Ronald Reagan recognized that the California Republican Assembly, and ultimately a national organization of Republican Assemblies, was a part of that nudge that would lead Americans to correct themselves.  As the conscience of the Republican Party, even while statists have worked to infiltrate the Grand Ol' Party, the California Republican Assembly has stood firm on principle and determination. Since 1934, when the CRA had its first statewide organizational meeting in San Jose, the organization has served as a conscience of the Republican Party.  We have sought to keep the GOP on its conservative path, to keep the never-ending battle of beating back tyranny alive, and to do what we can to make sure we keep freedom secured in America.  

We have worked to live up to John Quincy Adams' promise that "Whenever the standard of freedom and independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will be America's heart, her benedictions and her prayers."

We have a love affair with liberty, and the covenant made through the United States Constitution, and it is not only the desire of the California Republican Assembly to be the conscience of the Republican Party; it is our duty.

The Constitutional Convention in 1787 was a miracle.  Miracles only emerge when God's hand is upon something.  The Framers of the United States Constitution recognized that the Hand of Divine Providence was upon them.

George Washington, in his Inaugural Address, said "No person can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some providential agency."

In his Farewell Address, Washington said, "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports.  In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism who should labour to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens.  The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, out to respect and to cherish them ... Let it simply be asked, where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of moral and religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice?"

There is no doubt that human nature is imperfect, and because men are not angels, as James Madison reminded us, government is a necessary evil.  Due to the fact that men inhabit the chambers of government, while it is important that they recognize that the finger of Providence must be a guiding principle in the affairs of humanity, without a conscience that is active and ever-present, it is the nature of humans to become corrupt and vicious and to deny their position among the powers of the earth and that our position is dependent upon the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God if we are to continue to be free.

It is the duty of the California Republican Assembly, as the Conscience of the Republican Party, to entertain the higher cause of the preservation of the fires of human liberty.  It is our solemn responsibility.

It took prayer before each session of the Constitutional Convention, a litany of fierce debates, and the sacrifices of those who believed in the Blessings of Liberty to birth the greatest country ever to exist on Planet Earth; and it will take the same kind of conviction, prayer and work to maintain it as we continue into the 21st Century.  We live in a world whose eyes are upon America.  We are the last great hope for freedom.  We are the bearers of the torch of liberty.  Our Constitution is the triumph of determination, and a desire that all may be free, united as one under God.

It is a fitting tribute to the delegates of the Constitutional Convention that the California Republican Assembly recognizes that it is the moral and conservative conscience not only of the Republican Party, but of the United States of America.  We must remember that those original patriots, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, were willing to mutually pledge to each other their Lives, Fortunes, and sacred Honor for the cause of liberty.  As the Conscience of the Republican Party, it is our duty to do at least the same.

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