CSN Founder’s Message – Reflections on Bastille Day -- 7/15/2023
Reflections on the French Revolution and True Freedom
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FOUNDER’S MESSAGE:
We are informing our readers that we will be out of the news loop essentially until the last week of this month. It is that time again in the summer months when excursions and vacations make good excuses to escape the proverbial grind, and this is one overworked citizen who is taking advantage in the lull of the battle (do lulls in battles even exist?) to take a needed break.
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Yesterday was the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille in French history, and we put out a Bastille Day edition. CSN - Citizen Voice Bulletin - Bastille Day Edition - 7/14/2023 in order to reveal the truth behind the day, not intending to rain on anyone’s parade, but bring to light the realities of what genuinely took place in that time. The edition featured an article I had submitted to the Canada Free Press in time for the French holiday. However, in reflecting on the difference between the American War for Independence and the French Revolution, it is important that the American experience be more clearly distinguished from the French experience because the French Revolution did not bring about Freedom for the French people. So, since there will not be a Sunday LightWing edition for the next two weeks, we offer this Founder’s edition focused on a comparison between the actual outcome of the French Revolution vs. the outcome of the United States’ War for Independence.
In this day, all citizens should be concerned about the loss of our nation’s adherence to those self-evident truths proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence and our God-given rights as delineated in the Bill of Rights. As stated in a previous edition, “Even if a minority were to rise again and take upon themselves the responsibility to serve the cause of Freedom, not government corruption and criminal enterprise – it may make all the difference in the world.”
U.S. Constitution Sheds Light on the Value of the French Revolution
By Dennis Jamison
During the hot summer months of 1787, from mid-May to mid- September, delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia argued over, debated about, and hammered out a document that ultimately replaced the existing government of the infant United States of America. In essence, this was a second American revolution. It represented an intelligent, deliberate, and peaceful revolution that transformed the law of the land upon which the nation had been founded. The delegates from the states put together what Americans now recognize as the Constitution of the United States. It may be hard to believe, but it is the oldest national constitution in existence. This set of fundamental laws, ratified in 1788, continues to endure, despite its age, despite division over it, and despite attacks against the nation, which evolved from its bedrock values and enduring principles.
In comparison, the history related to the French Revolution, which began in the hot summer of 1789, led to a completely different outcome. A few months after General George Washington was sworn in as the first President of the United States under the newly ratified Constitution, the “Storming of the Bastille” initiated the French Revolution. Unfortunately, the French Constitution that was crafted by the radically instituted National Assembly, did not last as long. A diligent student of history would recognize that the French Revolution ended after ten years as the French people had bankrupted their country and elected Napoleon Bonaparte as the Consul.
Although an accurate parallel is difficult to establish because of the duration and various stages of the French Revolution, similarities of a general nature exist between the French people’s rebellion and the American War for Independence. But more importantly, no true comparison can be made between the two constitutions resulting from the respective revolutions.
The end result of the French Revolution was that this popular rebellion devolved into confusion, chaos, rampant suspicion, and widespread accusation, condemnation and execution of individuals, without much control or accountability. In short, the people’s revolution, imbued with noble ideals, deteriorated into a reprehensible bloodbath of horror during the Reign of Terror.
By 1792, the people’s Legislative Assembly was composed of various political factions. One of them, the Girondists (liberal republicans), wanted to export the revolution to the rest of Europe, and eventually France went to war with several sovereign states. Toward the end of 1792, the nation had conquered several territories. Ironically, Robespierre, architect of the Reign of Terror, warned of a potential tyranny which could result from such action, but France went to war with the rest of Europe, and to get rid of a tyrant, the people executed King Louis XVI in 1793.
Upon reflecting on the French Revolution in 1790, before it took such a drastic turn for the worse, Sir Edmund Burke, the Irish politician and a member of Parliament that had praised the American War for Independence, had this to say:
[The French have rebelled] against a mild and lawful monarch, with
more fury, outrage, and insult than ever any people has been known to
rise against the most illegal usurper, or the most [bloodthirsty] tyrant…
They have found their punishment in their success. Laws overturned;
tribunals subverted; …the people impoverished; a church pillaged, and
…civil and military anarchy made the constitution of the kingdom…
Were all these dreadful things necessary?
During these dark days of turbulence in France, the country was beset with internal disorder as counter-revolution swept throughout the land. So, there was fighting within France and outside France to “extend the revolution.” By the time Napoleon rose to power, it was fairly easy for him to consolidate his authority into absolute power. By 1803, only two years after Thomas Jefferson became the third U.S. president under the principles of the U.S. Constitution, Napoleon proclaimed himself the Emperor of France.
Ultimately, not only France, but almost all of Europe fell under the tyranny of Napoleon Bonaparte who cleverly seized absolute power. Napoleon’s rise to power meant the suspension of the constitution as it was lost amidst the rubble of broken dreams. Ultimately, the other European monarchs who had fought previously against the French Republic and declared peace with the fledgling nation, reconsidered their positions and actively strove to end Napoleon’s quest for the domination of Europe.
Indeed, while the realistic value of the French Revolution has been debated since that turbulent time in human history, the outcome was that the precious French constitution that the people had fought so valiantly for was essentially shredded. The French Republic that had been established in 1792 by the new constitution, which the king signed, was broken by 1799. The creation of the Republic came at the cost of much human life, but that government was done when the people elected Napoleon Bonaparte to help salvage their dreams. Not only had the people’s revolution in France failed to truly establish a stable nation of freedom and liberty, tyrants and European tyranny smashed them completely. The political perceptions of the people were tragically misplaced as Napoleon not only sought to control France, but also to dominate all of Europe. Napoleon’s bold efforts then plunged most of Europe into an all-out war.
On this side of the Atlantic, prior to all of the disruptive violence in Europe, visionaries in the United States saw that this nation, under the existing government of the Articles of Confederation, could have had a very short life span if the U.S. remained under the guidance of that foundation of law. The new nation had been created, but it remained weak, and vulnerable to collapse. Yet, the majority of the states in 1786 would not send delegates to Annapolis, Maryland to discuss ways to improve the Articles. It was only Shays Rebellion, during the winter of 1786-87, that sent a wake-up call to other patriots that the government needed to be strengthened. So, ten years after the Articles of Confederation were sent to the states for ratification, patriots met in the summer of 1787, in Philadelphia, to “fix” the infant republic. To lead them in this purpose, the delegates elected George Washington.
Sadly, it is likely that the majority of American citizens today only vaguely grasp the genuine significance of the critical difference between the foundation of the U.S. Constitution and the rapid destruction of the French constitution. However, despite the fact that Americans have been through so much in the course of the nation’s history, the United States has remained strong and stable through two centuries of history. It is because the nation and the leaders have held steadfast to the fundamental principles, which were laid as the building blocks of the American government.
The U.S. government was able to generate a rebirth through the establishment of a new Constitution, but it was viewed by the European monarchs as a dangerous and threatening experiment – especially dangerous to their own “enlightened despotism.” What had happened in France just after our new nation was formed as a republic, is the formation of what was popularly known as a new democracy.
Unfortunately, the French experiment also cast doubt upon the value of the American experiment. But, American patriots had created a democratic-Republic, not a democracy. The founders feared the creation of a democracy as it could easily turn into mob-rule, and then tyranny. They witnessed it happening in France just after they created the U.S. Constitution.
Genuine Freedom was quite fragile and very precious in such a tyrannical environment. It also became quite suspect of providing needed stability in the chaotic world during that time period. Despite the treachery and intimidating power of kings and emperors in history previous to the American Revolution, the Founding Fathers rejected the oppression and tyranny of their day, and willingly gave their lives in the fight for true freedom.
In actuality, the genuine outcome of the American Revolution was the establishment of independence from tyranny and the individual freedoms constructed by the Founding Fathers within the Constitution, specifically in the Bill of Rights. While such a government is truly unique in the world, it may represent the exact opposite of what the French people permitted in allowing such a tragedy in their country.
In reality, the United States is a nation that is predicated upon the value of the rule of law, and it is based upon the concept that government is primarily necessary in order to secure the rights of the people, and it is the consent of those governed that provides the government its basis of power. The French trampled the constitution they created and violently destroyed a government of their making. This was done despite the example of the success attained in an intelligent, deliberate, and peaceful revolution that managed to transform the Articles of Confederation into the Constitution of the United States. Our Founders were blessed with great vision and great wisdom in their efforts to plow the fields, and plant the seeds of Freedom in North America.
The Founders boldly established the U.S. Constitution, which has permitted a far greater foundation for the establishment, development, and the advancement of freedom for American citizens and people throughout the world than any other major government in the history of mankind. For the most part, the United States of America has been the place where freedom has had an opportunity to grow, and not just for one kind, but for all kinds of people. This much is certain: because of the Constitution, the U.S. is still a nation of freedom. It is understandable that in these turbulent times, citizens would bring down from the shelves once again, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and to refresh their minds with the words and ideals of these documents and the words of those who made the ideals real.
Additional History –
American Minute by William J. Federer - The Constitution of the United States was based largely on truths found in the Bible. The Constitution was approved and signed in 1787.
From the National Archives: The Constitution: How Did it Happen? |
From mountvernon.org: Constitutional Convention · George Washington's Mount Vernon
From Liberty Christian Fellowship: Pastor Earl Wallace, Biblical Basis of the Bill of Rights - 11/20/2019
ICYMI > From The Conversation: The French Revolution executed royals and nobles, yes – but most people killed were commoners – 7/12/2023
ICYMI > From Canada Free Press by Dennis Jamison: The Storming of the Bastille did not Yield Freedom – 7/14/2017
ICYMI > From History.com: Bastille Day - Definition, Date & Facts - updated 7/14/23
Remember to see the 'Sound of Freedom'
From FOX News - Watters: Tim Ballard: Pedophiles 'salivating' at media outlets ripping 'Sound of Freedom' - 7/11/23
From Jordan Peterson (short clips): Jim Caviezel on Darkness, the Devil, Heath Ledger, and Sacrifice
ICYMI > From The Daily Signal: Jim Caviezel Slams Woke Media For Hiding Truth, Call For Sex-Trafficking Whistleblowers – 6/23/2023
ICYMI > From CBN News: True Life Story of Tim Ballard's Mission to Stop Sex Trafficking Told in New 'Sound of Freedom' Film – 6/3/2023
ICYMI > From Senator Mike Lee: Tim Ballard: NYT made world less safe for kids by ‘sympathizing’ with predators – 9/2/2020