Individual liberty is possible only in a nation that is formed, as John Adams said, “of laws, not of men." In such a nation, each citizen bears an equal responsibility before the law and possesses the right to equal protection under the law. Each individual citizen enjoys the rights to self-determination, to engage in governmental processes at all levels, and to hold public servants accountable to the laws of the nation. Any infringement upon these principles makes each person less a citizen of a nation of laws and more a subject of a nation of men – an oligarchy rather than a republic.
One citizen who chooses to stand against the devolution of the Republic into oligarchy will affect little. A community that stands against that devolution will fare little better. A People that stands together to secure the Rights of each individual can dismantle the rising oligarchy and restore the Republic. If We, the People - We Mountaineers are to remain “always free” we must stand together now. As one citizen, I stand for the principles enshrined in the West Virginia Constitution:
1. “The government of the United States is a government of enumerated powers, and all powers not delegated to it, nor inhibited to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people thereof…and it is the high and solemn duty of the several departments of government, created by this constitution, to guard and protect the people of this state from all encroachments upon the rights so reserved.” (WV Constitution Para 1-2)
2. “The powers of government reside in all the citizens of the state, and can be rightfully exercised only in accordance with their will and appointment.” (WV Constitution Para 2-2)
3. “Free government and the blessings of liberty can be preserved to any people only by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality and virtue, and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.” (WV Constitution Para 3-20)
4. “A person has the right to keep and bear arms for the defense of self, family, home and state, and for lawful hunting and recreational use.” (WV Constitution Para 3-22)
As one citizen, I will affect nothing, but I will stand nonetheless. If you, as an individual free
citizen, also stand for these principles, we stand together for a common cause. Though you and
I might disagree on how best to live, be free, and pursue happiness, we agree that neither the
government nor any person has the right to dictate to us how we will go about it.
We can and should stand together.
If we stand together, we have a chance.
Send me to Charleston to stand for our principles there.
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