We are a great nation…

In his July 24^th speech to explain why he withdrew from the presidential race, President Biden made two key points. First, he rhetorically asked “Does character in public life still matter?” Yes, character mattered. Second, “we are a great nation because we are a good people.” The founders would have agreed with the first point but not with the second.

The founders knew that survival of a government based on individual liberty depended on the moral quality of its citizens.

Benjamin Franklin: “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.”

John Adams: “Our Constitution was made for a moral and religious people.”

George Washington: “There exists in the economy and course of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness.”

Sam Adams: “A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy.”

Richard Henry Lee: “The happiness of America will be secured, at least so long as it continues to be virtuous, and when we cease to be virtuous we shall not be happy.”

James Madison: “To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people is a chimerical idea.”

This brings me to President Biden’s second point. But first, some back story on that quote about a great nation and good people. This line might sound familiar because it has become a central rhetorical pillar of American exceptionalism, used by presidents Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Bill Clinton. In the 2016 Democratic convention, Hilary Clinton used the line in her acceptance speech.

One might assume that because the founders knew a nation needed virtuous citizens to be great, they believed we were indeed good. They didn’t. The relaxed religious views of founders like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were not representative of their time. Most 18th-century Americans adhered to the dominant Calvinist beliefs. We were all the fallen children of Adam. We were corruptible, vane, and selfish. Given that we are not inherently GOOD, how did the founders believe the nation could ever be GREAT? There were many ways, but two key methods were: first, maintaining consistent effort to overcome our evil nature; and second, carefully choosing the president.

Calvinism emphasized the inherent sinfulness of human nature, but it also advocated for a disciplined, virtuous life achieved through rigorous moral instruction, consistent effort, and the influence of virtuous leaders and role models.

Therefore, when it came to electing the president, the founders were keenly aware of the importance of preventing someone with, as Alexander Hamilton said in Federalist 68, “talents for low intrigue and the little arts of popularity” from ascending to the presidency.

In the election of 1800 when Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr were tied in the Electoral College, Hamilton stressed that it was Burr’s low character that should disqualify him from being selected.

 “As to Burr there is nothing in his favour. His private character is not defended by his most partial friends. He is bankrupt beyond redemption except by the plunder of his country. His public principles have no other spring or aim than his own aggrandizement… If he can, he will certainly disturb our institutions to secure to himself permanent power and with it wealth…. he has held very vindictive language respecting his opponents.”