Noah Webster
Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed;as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword;because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any bands of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States.
-Noah Webster
When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, "just men who will rule in the fear of God." The preservation of government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty;if the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted;laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes;corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws;the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men;and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws.
-Noah Webster
(History of the United States (New Haven:Durrie & Peck, 1832), pp. 336-337, 49.)
God's Word, contained in the Bible, has furnished all necessary rules to direct our conduct. -Noah Webster In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed... No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.
-Noah Webster
In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate - look to his character.
-Noah Webster
(Letters to a Young Gentleman Commencing His Education (New Haven:S. Converse, 1823), p. 18.)
The religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His apostles, which enjoins humility, piety, and benevolence;which acknowledges in every person a brother, or a sister, and a citizen with equal rights. This is genuine Christianity, and to this we owe our free Constitutions of Government. The moral principles and precepts contained in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all of our civil constitutions and laws... All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible. When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God. The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty;If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted;laws will be made not for the public good so much as for the selfish or local purposes;Corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws;the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men;and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws." Corruption of morals is rapid enough in any country without a bounty from government. And the Chief Magistrate of the United States should be the last man to accelerate its progress.