...And to the Republic

We are a republic.

Many refer to our nation as a democracy. We are not. Even our president and other national leaders refer our form of government as a "democracy." Such an error should be like fingers on a chalkboard to every American.

Some may think that a little thing. It is not. Here are a few quotes from our founders about what they thought of democracy as a form of government (excerpted from David Barton's book, "Original Intent"):

• "[D]emocracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security, or the rights of property; and have, in general, been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths." James Madison


• "Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide." John Adams


• "A democracy is a volcano which conceals the fiery materials of its own destruction. These will produce an eruption and carry desolation in their way. The known propensity of a democracy is to licentiousness [excessive license] which the ambitious call, and ignorant believe to be liberty." Fisher Ames, Author of the House Language for the First Amendment


• "We have seen the tumult of democracy terminate . . . as [it has] everywhere terminated, in despotism. . . . Democracy! savage and wild. Thou who wouldst bring down the virtuous and wise to thy level of folly and guilt." Gouverneur Morris, Signer and Penman of the Constitution


• "[T]he experience of all former ages had shown that of all human governments, democracy was the most unstable, fluctuating and short-lived." John Quincy Adams


• "A simple democracy . . . is one of the greatest of evils." Benjamin Rush, Signer of the Declaration


• "In democracy . . . there are commonly tumults and disorders. . . . Therefore a pure democracy is generally a very bad government. It is often the most tyrannical government on earth." Noah Webster


• "Pure democracy cannot subsist long nor be carried far into the departments of state, it is very subject to caprice and the madness of popular rage." John Witherspoon, Signer of the Declaration


• "It may generally be remarked that the more a government resembles a pure democracy the more they abound with disorder and confusion." Zephaniah Swift, Author of America's First Legal Text

Why the hostility toward democracy? It becomes majority rule. Whatever the whims of the mob become the dictates of society. That leads to anarchy or lawlessness.

The intent of a republic was that law would be king, lex rex. We would elect representatives who would enact law by which the nation would be subject. Rule of law versus the rule of whim.

As our nation slips further and further from the intent of its founders, let me encourage you to take a moment and read David Barton's article, "Republic v. Democracy" at his sight Wallbuilders.org. You'll find the quotes above therein. His book, "Original Intent," is a captivating read and a wonderful resource to have on hand in every home for explaining the purpose and plan for our nation when the heroes of the Revolution sat down to determine what our nation would become.