Religion Is The Only Solid Basis Of

The Reflection And Experience Of Many Years Have Led Me To Consider The Holy Writings Not Only As The Most Authentic And Instructive In Themselves, But As The Clue To All Other History. They Tell Us What Man Is, And They Alone Tell Us Why He Is What He Is: A Contradictory Creature That Seeing And Approving Of What Is Good, Pursues And Performs What Is Evil. All Of Private And Public Life Is There Displayed. ... From The Same Pure Fountain Of Wisdom We Learn That Vice Destroys Freedom; That Arbitrary Power Is Founded On Public Immorality.

[f]or Avoiding The Extremes Of Despotism Or Anarchy . . . The Only Ground Of Hope Must Be On The Morals Of The People. I Believe That Religion Is The Only Solid Base Of Morals And That Morals Are The Only Possible Support Of Free Governments. [t]herefore Education Should Teach The Precepts Of Religion And The Duties Of Man Towards God.

We The People Of The United States, In Order To Form A More Perfect Union, Establish Justice, Insure Domestic Tranquility, Provide For The Common Defense, Promote The General Welfare, And Secure The Blessings Of Liberty To Ourselves And Our Posterity, Do Ordain And Establish This Constitution For The United States Of America.

The Education Of Young Citizens Ought To Form Them To Good Manners, To Accustom Them To Labor, To Inspire Them With A Love Of Order, And To Impress Them With Respect For. Lawful Authority. Religion Is The Only Solid Basis Of Good Morals; Therefore Education Should Teach The Precepts Of Religion, And The Duties Of Man Towards God.

If The People Should Elect, They Will Never Fail To Prefer Some Man Of Distinguished Character, Or Services; Some Man, If He Might So Speak Of Continental Reputation.