Ben Gilmore
Appointed secretary of war by President Andrew Jackson, Lewis Cass was a senator, secretary of state for President James Buchanan and the 1848 Democrat presidential candidate.
“Independent of its connection with human destiny hereafter, the fate of Republican government is indissolubly bound up with the fate of the Christian religion, and a people who reject its holy faith will find themselves the slaves of their own evil passions and of arbitrary power.”
In 1846, Cass wrote from Washington, D.C.:
“God, in His providence, has given us a Book of His revealed will … to teach us what we ought to do here, and what we shall be hereafter.”
In a eulogy for Daniel Webster, Dec. 14, 1852, Cass stated:
“He died in the faith of the Christian – humble, but hopeful – adding another to the long list of eminent men who have searched the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and have found it to be the word and the will of God.”
My, my, how times have changed! What is true has not changed. Neither has what is honest and reasonable. What has changed, is our corporate society’s interest in seeking out truth and reasoning from it to honest conclusions.
For the past several decades, it has been my privilege to write local newspaper columns. We – Fran, our kids and I – first came to Morgan Hill in 1964. I was honored to thrice be elected the Republican nominee from this area to the state Assembly. That opened the way for me to represent those Republican voters in four counties and on the state Republican committees.
In these columns and in evaluating political issues I have used a set of seven “principles to live by.” I would like to share them with you. Each serves as a foundation for the next.
n The principle of “Individuality” as opposed to collectivism is fundamental in nature. Every snow flake is different. Without it there is no identity.
n The principle of “self government” as opposed to manipulation is next. Without individuality there is no “self” to govern. Without self government there is no responsibility for one’s actions.
n The principle of “quality character” is opposed to degradation. “Quality” requires a standard by which to measure. It would be foolish not to apply the best standard one can find. (I’ll agree in advance to accept one better than the one I use.)
n Next is the principle of “private property” as opposed to socialism.
James Madison opined, “Conscience is the most sacred of all property.” Even slaves possess internal property, even though they have no external property rights.
n “American (also Biblical) form” is built upon the previous principles. It is opposed to globalism. Among its distinctives are representative government, federalism, and separation of powers, never before united into a single governmental structure.
n Next we find “local authority” as opposed to centralization. Properly exercised authority should be at the most local possible level.
Each of these proven principles serve as a foundation for the last, “liberty” as opposed to social engineering. Forced bussing and diamond lanes were both unpopular because they represented social engineering.
Each principle has both internal (i.e. primary, causative, unseen) and external (i.e. secondary, effect, seen) aspects. We must learn to reason “governmentally.” That is, reason from the internal to the external, the cause to the effect, the unseen to the seen.
Each of these principles may be illustrated biblically, historically and logically. In today’s marketplace of ideas, biblical illustrations carry little weight, though you must first establish that before presenting them to others. In the marketplace, it is best to illustrate them historically and “governmentally” (logically). After making your point, you may add, “Oh, by the way, that is also biblical.”
It has been an honor to write these columns. A thrill to have someone on the street or in the post office recognize my picture from the column and thank me for writing. We have made many friends in South Valley. We have recently purchased a house in Citrus Heights and will be moving on Oct. 27. This will be my last column as a local resident.
To those who keep track of such things, our local Post Office Box #905 will remain active indefinitely. We look forward to frequent visits to Morgan Hill. New leaders are coming forward to take the helm of the Gilroy/Morgan Hill Republican Assembly. We wish each of you good health and prosperity.
This is Ben Gilmore’s final column as a member of the Morgan Hill Times’ Board of Contributors. Send correspondence to him at P.O. Box #905, Morgan Hill, 95038.
