“The materials for a revolution in France are very indifferent…There is an utter prostration of morals… depravity… extreme rottenness of every member…
The great masses of the common people have no religion…no law but their superiors, no morals but their interest…
In the high road a la liberte…the first use they make of it is to form insurrections everywhere.”
Gouverneur Morris wrote Observation on Government, Applicable to the Political State of France, 1792:
“Religion is the only solid basis of good morals; therefore education should teach the precepts of religion, and the duties of man toward God…
Provision should be made for maintaining divine worship as well as education…
Religion is the relation between God and man; therefore it is not within the reach of human authority.”
Gouverneur Morris died NOVEMBER 6, 1816.
He had spoken 173 times during the Constitutional Convention, more than any other delegate.
As head of the Committee on Style, it was Gouverneur Morris who penned the final draft of the Constitution and originated the phrase “We the people of the United States…”
A U.S. Senator, he helped write New York’s Constitution and pioneered the Erie Canal.
In 1785, Gouverneur Morris addressed the Pennsylvania Assembly regarding the Bank of North America:
“How can we hope for public peace and national prosperity, if the faith of governments so solemnly pledged can be so lightly infringed?…
This hour of distress will come.
It comes to all, and the moment of affliction is known to Him alone, whose Divine Providence exalts or depresses states and kingdoms…in proportion to their obedience or disobedience of His just and holy laws.”
On NOVEMBER 6, 1944, Franklin D. Roosevelt stated in Hyde Park, NY:
“Tomorrow…the people of the United States again vote as free men and women, with full freedom of choice – with no secret police watching over your shoulders.
And for generations to come Americans will continue to prove their faith in free elections…”
FDR added:
“In the midst of fighting…our soldiers and sailors and airmen will not forget election day back home.
Millions of these men have already cast their own ballots, and they will be wondering about the outcome of the election, and what it will mean to them in their future lives…for the cause of decency and freedom and civilization…”
FDR concluded:
“We need strength and wisdom which is greater than is bequeathed to mere mortals. We need Divine help and guidance…
People of America have ever had a deep well of religious strength, far back to the days of the Pilgrim Fathers.
You will find it fitting that I read a prayer..
‘Almighty God…Thou hast gathered our people out of many lands and races into a great Nation.
We commend to Thy overruling providence the men and women of our forces by sea, by land, and in the air…
Enable us to guard for the least among us the freedom we covet for ourselves…
Preserve our union against all the divisions of race and class which threaten it…
May the blessing of God Almighty rest upon this whole land;
May He give us light to guide us, courage to support us, charity to unite us.'”
William J. Federer is a nationally known speaker, best-selling author, and president of Amerisearch, Inc., a publishing company dedicated to researching America’s noble heritage.
To learn more about the author please visit William Federer
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