2nd Principle: A Virtuous and Moral People

In his farewell address, George Washington celebrated American successes and praised the cause of liberty. "General George Washington Resigning His Commission," 1783, by John Trumbull. Public Domain

Commentary

Many Americans have likely forgotten the heated debate in 1775 and 1776 among our ancestors in the 13 colonies. On the brink of the American Revolution, they pondered, “Do we have enough virtue to govern ourselves?”

Creating a republic meant self-governance without a king, requiring people to respect a covenant among themselves—a challenge that would have been impossible if they were selfish and corrupt.

The first such covenant in North America was the Mayflower Compact, signed by 41 Pilgrims upon landing in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It created the first self-governing colony in the Northeast.

The Founding Fathers understood the necessity of virtue for building society. Benjamin Franklin stated: “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” Similarly, George Washington praised the Constitution as the “palladium of human rights” but warned it would only last as long as virtue remained among the people.

The Moral Reform of 1775 to 1776

In 1775, public sentiment leaned toward independence. However, Americans questioned their moral readiness for self-governance. Great figures such as John Jay, Robert Morris, Robert Livingston, and John Dickinson were among the doubters.

Yet British oppression gradually ignited patriotic fervor, inspired by leaders of “admired virtue,” such as Washington, John Adams, Richard Henry Lee, and Josiah Quincy.

Thomas Paine’s pamphlet “Common Sense” resonated widely, selling half a million copies in a population of 2.5 million. Paine argued that Americans, industrious and frugal, were far less corrupt than Europeans, who indulged in “luxury, indolence, amusement, and pleasure.” This sentiment fostered national pride and public virtue.

Between 1775 and 1776, a wave of self-examination gripped Americans as newspapers highlighted societal deficiencies. This led to a movement of self-sacrifice and reform across the colonies, with many Americans realizing their responsibilities to the community.

A historian described these years as a period of unity and denial, in which communities abandoned petty disputes and united in purpose.

The Self-Sacrificing Boycott

Before independence, to persuade England to allow the colonies self-governance, Americans imposed a voluntary boycott on imported English goods. This boycott caused financial hardship for many, yet people willingly participated.

A young James Madison glorified this unity, noting that “a spirit of liberty and patriotism animates all degrees and denominations of men.”

To understand the anxiety of that time, we must appreciate the historical context: Americans questioned if they and future generations could be virtuous enough, knowing that without it, the republic and the Constitution would be unsustainable.

After the Revolution’s success, Samuel Adams expressed his gratitude, saying, “I thank God that I have lived to see my country independent and free. ... It depends on her virtue.” His cousin John Adams, later the second president, wrote: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

Where Does Virtue Come From?

The Founding Fathers were concerned about how to ensure people possessed virtue. They believed that virtue is neither hereditary nor inherent; it must be taught and practiced regularly.

They identified three key places for cultivating virtue: home, school, and church. Franklin emphasized the importance of training youth in wisdom and virtue, noting, “nothing is of more importance for the public weal.”

He added that “bad habits and vices of the mind, like diseases of the body, are more easily prevented in youth than cured in adults.”

Virtue’s Root in Faith

The Founders clearly understood the link between morality and faith. They believed that morality is rooted in faith and cannot endure without it.

Washington, in his farewell address, noted that religion and morality are “indispensable supports” for political prosperity, cautioning against assuming morality can be maintained without religion.

Since morality is vital to a republic, the Founding Fathers posed a crucial question: How can a nation’s morality be preserved? The next founding principle reveals how they addressed this.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.