325
NOAH WEBSTER
Noah Webster (1758–1843) has been called the “Father of American Scholarship and Education.” In the United States his name has become synonymous with the Merriam-Webster dictionary that was first published in 1828 as “An American Dictionary of the English Language.” In this passage he reminds citizens of their political power—the power to vote—and that each man must weigh carefully whom he votes for, because that person will be his elected ruler.
When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, “just men who will rule in the fear of God.” The preservation of government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws.