Founders Corner

Idea of a Perfect Commonwealth by David Hume (ca. 1754)

A frequent reference for Mike,Scottish philosopher David Hume's essay entitled "Idea of a Perfect Commonwealth" is perhaps the greatest hallmark of promoting the ideas of "little-r" republicanism thus far gifted to humanity. While many of Mr. Hume's critics branded him a perpetual cynic for having little positive to say or faith in humanity, this essay spoke clearly to the cornerstone of private property rights, a decentralized government, and a hearty system of checks and balances which by his estimation were absolutely required were such a system to exist as more than passing fancy.

Jefferson's Draft of The Declaration of Independence

Below you will find the text of Thomas Jefferson's original "draught" of the Declaration of Independence as presented to Congress on 28 June, 1776. The strikethrough indicates the known edits. A graphic version is available here and at the bottom of this page.

A DECLARATION BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE  UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN GENERAL CONGRESS ASSEMBLED

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one a^

dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another,
people to ~~^advance from that subordination in which they have hitherto~~

and to separate and equal

~~^remained,~~ & to assume among the powers of the earth the ~~^equal and~~

Thomson Mason - The Revolutionary Founder You Never heard Of

On today's show I introduced you to Thomson Mason, George Mason's brother. Thomson was heavily involved in the writing of Revolutionary War tracts asserting the rights of the Colonists living in their sovereign "states". Mason is the author of the letter I read on today's show which read in part. "It is objected that this measure strikes at the Navigation
Acts, which we have long submitted to.

George Washington's Farewell Address

Washington's Farewell Address 1796
1796

Friends and Citizens:

The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States being not far distant, and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed, to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made.

Bradford vs Jaffa-Why Lincoln was NOT a Founder

If you have ever heard the term "Straussians" you may have wondered "who was Strauss?" The next question should be then "how did Strauss come to influence so many if so few know about him?" Leo Strauss was a German emigre who escaped the war and landed as a professor at the University of Chicago.