As we march through this year of politics, I often find that looking back on some of the leaders of our nation continues to be useful. We all know the big names - George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. However, we often overlook some of the other key players in our nation's history. They are the lesser known Founding Fathers. These men were no less brilliant, as their quotes show. Take some time to think about them and what they mean. How can you apply them in your chapter and take control of you organization?
Our Founding Father for today is someone you might have heard of and not even know it. John Dickinson, the namesake of the Dickson Law School, played a major part in the founding of our country and of Pennsylvania
The Wisdom of John Dickinson
"Nothing is more certain than that the forms of liberty may be retained when the substance is gone. In government, as well as in religion, "the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life"" - "The Political Writings of John Dickinson"
"Kings or parliaments could not give the rights essential to happiness. ... We claim them from a higher source - from the King of kings, and Lord of all the earth. They are not annexed to us by parchments and seals. They are created in us by the decrees of Providence, which establish the laws of our nature. They are born with us; exist with us; and cannot be taken from us by any human power without taking our lives. In short, they are founded on the immutable maxims of reason and justice. It would be an insult on the Divine Majesty to say that he has given or allowed any man or body of men a right to make me miserable."
"Let us take care of our rights and we therein take care of our prosperity. Slavery is ever preceded by sleep" "The Political Writings of John Dickinson"
"As Congress is now to legislate for our extensive territory lately acquired, I pray to Heaven that they may build up the system of the government on the broad, strong, and sound principles of freedom. Curse not the inhabitants of those regions, and of the United States in general with a permission to introduce bondage [slavery]"
"No free people ever existed, or can ever exist, without keeping the purse strings in their own hands. Where this is the case, they have a constitutional check upon the administration, which may thereby by brought into order without violence. But when such a power is not lodged in the people, oppression proceeds uncontrolled in its career, till the governed, transported into rage, seek redress in the midst of blood and confusion."
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