Quotes_Founders

=**Quotes of our Founding Fathers**=

In 1777 the Continental Army was being defeated, the Continental Congress was forced out of Philadelphia into York, PA, and there was even some talk of giving up. Samuel Adams spoke up and said //"The eyes of the people are upon us//." He knew that if Congress openly showed their fear to the people, the cause of liberty would be over. He also told them, "//We have proclaimed to the world our determination 'to die freemen, rather than to live slaves' ... we have appealed to heaven for the justice of our cause, and in heaven have we placed our trust. Numerous have been the manifestations of God's providence in sustaining us//." Then he said, "//In the gloomy period of adversity, we have had 'our cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.' We have been reduced to distress, and the arm of omnipotence has raised us up... Let us still rely in humble confidence on him who is mighty to save. Good tidings will soon arrive//." Shortly after, the Continental Army won a turning point battle in Saratoga.
 * 5A. What lesson can be taken from Samuel Adams in terms of reliance when times are tough --- who does Adams say we should all rely on when times are tough?**

Benjamin Franklin believed in charity to help the poor (people giving to charity) rather than governments taxing people and using the tax dollars to help the poor. He said "//I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading them out of it. In my youth, I traveled much, I observed in different countries that the more public (government) provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And on the contrary, the less that was done for them, the more they did for themselves and became richer//."
 * 5B. Do you agree or disagree with Franklin (opinion)? Why?**

In his Farewell Address, George Washington gave advice on several topics including debt when he said "//avoid the accumulation of debt//." Our government spends more than it takes in and has done so for decades. We now have a $14.3 trillion debt. The American people get upset when things get cut.
 * 5C. Do you agree or disagree with Washington that the government should not keep adding to the debt (opinion)? Why?**

Thomas Jefferson said "//A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have."//
 * 5D. Does this statement favor limited government or suggest that bigger government is best?**
 * 5E. Do you agree or disagree with Jefferson (opinion)? Why?**

In the //Federalist Papers//, which were written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay to support the Constitution. In one of the articles, Madison said "//If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself//."
 * 5F. How does this statement suggest rule of law and limited government? Remember rule of law means everyone must obey the law and limited government means the government has limits on its power.**

At the Constitutional Convention, debates were heated and several delegates were frustrated including Washington. There were questions as to whether or not there would be success. Then, Benjamin Franklin stood up and said the following: //"All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of superintending Providence in our favor. To that kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth-that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the Ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without His Aid //?" - Benjamin Franklin, To Colleagues at the Constitutional Convention
 * 5G. Who is Franklin suggesting the delegates rely on? Why would this be a good idea accepted by our Founding Fathers at the Convention?**

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