The source is obscure, but apparently it is an exchange between Adlai Stevenson and one of his supporters. In any event, the lesson is clear: Not everyone is thinking well when it comes to the destiny of this nation.
Indeed a lot of people simply trust in the institutions of this country with a reckless abandon that brings to mind Brigham Young's statement:
"I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves . . . . I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence . . ." (JD 9:150).
Brigham here was speaking of the Saints showing unwarranted trust in Church leaders without getting a solid witness for themselves from heaven that they were being led aright. The problem is doubly applicable to Washington D.C.
Some among us think that if a political leader is a Latter-day Saint he must therefore automatically be in tune with the heavens. Take a look at the Senate majority leader and his actions the past few years to see the folly of that view.
James Madison in 1792 asked, "Who are the best keepers of the People's liberties?"
His answer: "The people themselves. The sacred trust can be no where so safe as in the hands most interested in preserving it." However, this hero of the Federalist Papers and chief author of the Constitution had a warning voice: "Although all men are born free, . . . yet too true it is, that slavery has been the general lot of the human race."
Madison explained how this slavery is to be found in three areas: "Ignorant --- they have been cheated; asleep --- they have been surprized [sic]; divided --- the yoke has been forced upon them."
He continued: "But what is the lesson? That because the people may betray themselves, they ought to give themselves up, blindfold, to those who have an interest in betraying them? Rather conclude that the people ought to be enlightened, to be awakened, to be united, that after establishing a government they should watch over it, as well as obey it" (National Gazette of Philadelphia, 20 Dec. 1792).
If the people should obey it without the vigilance and oversight, they will have tyranny instead of liberty. That transparent truth seems to elude a lot of us.
The quotation from Madison came to my attention last week when Herman Cain used it as he sat in for Sean Hannity on the radio (Monday 2 July). In response to a caller, Mr Cain had to explain that "I'm not angry at you; I'm just passionate about this nation and about Liberty." A lot of people think passion is anger; that being forceful is politically incorrect and to be avoided at all costs. Thus we see the pathetic results of ignorance . . . comatose sleepiness . . . and lack of unity in the common cause of Liberty.
As Alison often says about people, "If they had a brain they'd be dangerous."
There is real stupidity abroad in the land, and it is not getting any better.
"Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I [the Lord] would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.
"But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind . . . ." The promised result for failing to follow this formula correctly is "a stupor of thought", or a stupidity of mind.
Before every national and local election, the Brethren send out a clear signal urging the Saints to study carefully the candidates and the issues before voting. Such due diligence was obviously avoided by a majority of the American people prior to the 2008 general election --- including many Latter-day Saints who would not recognize and acknowledge treason and tyranny if it up and bit them in the . . . elbow.
Time to wake up. Time to do our homework. Time to devour the Book of Mormon in a search for the truth about the true Title of Liberty and the due diligence incumbent upon us today, with so much at stake.
Steve
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