“Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks — no form of government can render us secure. To suppose liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea. If there be sufficient virtue and intelligence in the community, it will be exercised in the selection of these men. So that we do not depend on their virtue, or put confidence in our rulers, but in the people who are to choose them.

— James Madison, Speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 20, 1788

From George Washingtons’ farewell address to the nation ” And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.”

“Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.”
— James Madison

“I believe there are few things that can be said that haven’t been said before.” (A.B.Reichart) In reading over the words spoken over two hundred and fifty years ago, by those founding fathers, I’ve reached the conclusion that those that said it first, said it best.

In the first quote James Madison is simply speaking to those involved in forming our republic. It’s a prediction and a warning. Our government is dependent upon the virtue of the people, not those that hold the seats of power. If the people choose poorly, government can not save them.

In the second quote, George Washington is saying goodbye to the nation, retiring to his home. He is expressing similar thoughts to what Madison was talking about. Virtue among the people. Virtue (morality) among the people being maintained by religious conviction. He warns about “refined education” science, replacing religious principle.

Returning to Madison, he also said, charity is “no part of the legislative duty of government.” He made that statement during congressional debates concerning relief for St. Domingo refugees. His assertation was, the constitution does not give the power to the legislature (congress) to legislate charity. I agree with that contention, there has been no amendment to the constitution concerning that. I just say that government is a business and should be run like one.

“Is there no virtue among us ?” Madison asked that question in 1788 and I believe he would be shocked, horrified, if he were alive today to witness what “we” the people consider virtuous today. George Washington would be appalled at the state of the national morality.

Thomas Jefferson did not condemn the religion of Islam directly. He did ask the government of Tripoli why they attacked American shipping, (the barbary pirates) and quoted their response as ” founded on the laws of the prophet.” Jefferson, as the president refused to pay tribute to them and authorized the first barbary war. It was a “diplomatic” action, not a religious response. Just business!

Science cannot and should not replace religious principle. Government is about business; its’ concern is the general welfare of the people. It should not be involved in specific charitable endeavors like supporting refugees or others that are not part of the nation, in general. Our government is for the American people. It is, we the people, that choose our legislators.

We should be choosing those that do best for the general welfare of the people, not our personal welfare! Government has no place in our personal charitable or religious beliefs regarding the national treasury. We should select those individuals that will be “best for business.” That’s what all of those founding fathers were talking about.