1. The Genius of Natural Law
The only reliable basis for sound government and just human relations is Natural Law.
2. A Virtuous and Moral People
A free people cannot survive under a republican constitution unless they remain virtuous and morally strong.
3. Virtuous and Moral Leaders
The most promising method of securing a virtuous and morally stable people is to elect virtuous leaders.
4. The Role of Religion
Without religion the government of a free people cannot be maintained.
5. The Role of the Creator
All things were created by God, therefore upon Him all mankind are equally dependent, and to Him they are equally responsible.
6. All Men Are Created Equal
All men are created equal.
7. Equal Rights, Not Equal Things
The proper role of government is to protect equal rights, not provide equal things.
8. Man’s Unalienable Rights
Men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.
9. The Role of Revealed Law
To protect man’s rights, God has revealed certain principles of divine law.
10. Sovereignty of the People
The God-given right to govern is vested in the sovereign authority of the whole people.
11. Who Can Alter the Government
The majority of the people may alter or abolish a government which has become tyrannical.
12. Advantages of a Republic
The United States of America shall be a republic.
13. Protection Against human Frailty
A constitution should be structured to permanently protect the people from the human frailties of their rulers.
14. Property Rights Essential to Liberty
Life and liberty are secure only so long as the right to property is secure.
15. Free-Market Economics
The highest level of prosperity occurs when there is a free market economy and a minimum of government regulation.
16. The Separation of Powers
The government should be separated into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
17. Checks and Balances
A system of checks and balances should be adopted to prevent the abuse of power.
18. Importance of a Written Constitution
The unalienable rights of the people are most likely to be preserved if the principles of government are set forth in a written constitution.
19. Limiting and Defining the Powers of Government
Only limited and carefully defined powers should be delegated to government, all others being retained by the people.
20. Majority Rule, Minority Rights
Efficiency and dispatch require government to operate according to the will of the majority, but constitutional provisions must be made to protect the rights of the minority.
21. Strong Local Self-government
Strong local self-government is the keystone to preserving human freedom.
22. Government by Law, Not by Men
A free people should be governed by law and not by the whims of men.
23. Importance of an Educated Electorate
A free society cannot survive as a republic without a broad program of general education.
24. Peace Through Strength
A free people will not survive unless they stay strong.
25. Avoid Entangling Alliances
“Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations: entangling alliances with none.”
26. Protecting the Role of the Family
The core unit which determines the strength of any society is the family; therefore, the government should foster and protect its integrity.
27. Avoiding the Burden of Debt
The burden of debt is as destructive to freedom as subjugation by conquest.
28. The Founder’s Sense of Manifest Destiny
The United States has a manifest destiny to be an example and a blessing to the entire human race.