SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS (Pt. 3)

FINAL ACT: THE REVOLUTIONARY

But as Roman power increased, Roman virtue declined; and of all forms of government, the stability of the republican depends most upon the integrity of the individual. - Alonzo T Jones, The Two Republics pg 17

The Virtuous Thing

One Roman stands out so very famous for willingly laying down absolute power that American founders named a city in Ohio after him. Cincinnatus, after whom Cincinnati is named, comes down in history as that great symbol of Republican virtue. And what is this so called 'Republican virtue'? Rome was still yet a republic in those days. Although born a privileged Patrician, Cincinnatus had come to financial ruin due to political intrigues. The legend states that he had been reduced to a cabbage farmer when in 460bc he was elected Dictator. Unlike the modern interpretation and applications, dictatorship was another beautiful, I should say ingenious Roman invention, which only became viable at a time of great national danger and was an office occupied through popular election. This rule made it possible for Rome to circumvent the tedious bureaucracy that is the Achilles heel of democracy in times of existential peril. Checks and balances are good, but they are also heavy. A dictator held full military, administrative and judicial powers during his tenure. All this was for unity of command as Rome would employ total war tactics during dangerous invasions where everything was to be geared toward the war effort. He essentially had the power of life or death over anyone in Rome. In fact, Cincinnatus became dictator four times, and not once did he cling to power after the passing of danger, nor did he act out his revenge against the Tribunes who caused his financial downfall or enrich himself with anyone's property. Most men and especially later men indeed were not able to resist the temptation, but Cincinnatus did and, on multiple occasions. Moreover, after all of it, he simply went back to his cabbages and his farm much like George Washington would centuries later, himself a patron of the Order of Cincinnatus.

A statue of Cincinnatus holding a Fasces - an axe/sword tied over with a bundle of rods, a symbol of Roman authority. (From where we get the word Fascism)

The people who run the government are people too. It follows so that when such virtue is lacking in those who hold fasces, the people will go to war in defense of their God given rights. They become revolutionaries.

The Courageous Thing

When the virtuous thing becomes impossible to do, there is a corrective. It falls upon the people now to perform the courageous thing. The issue here is the degenerate and repeated untrustworthiness of human nature. How we do government is merely an amplification of that state of affairs:

But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? - James Madison, Federalist 51

Adding his voice to this, Apostle Paul had already written why no man can be trusted

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23

It is no small wonder then that Thomas Jefferson is recorded with the following words

In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the constitution. - Thomas Jefferson

The Constitution is guardian to our rights. It is expected that men who are lacking of that virtuous thing will occasionally ascend into positions of power. It should also be expected that in a republic such as ours with a liberal constitution but where state capture extends into the very processes of electioneering, the principle of perpetual revolution spelled out in Article 1 (1) and (2) becomes our corrective to such misadventures. In this way, the constitution shows that it is interested in building our characters. As you may know for a republic, the moment majority are incapable of governing themselves that very moment the idea of a republic fails and is replaced with a form of tyranny.

In proportion as this conception is not fulfilled, in proportion as the people lose the power of governing themselves, in the same proportion the true idea of a republic will fail of realization. - Alonzo T. Jones, ibid.

It is in doing the courageous thing, the beautiful thing as Aristotle calls it, that life truly gains its meaning. The cause is right. The cause is just. The cause is constitutional. Dear Gen Zotes do what you must that is within the law. And whatsoever you do, do it quickly. Much more is at stake, perhaps were our eyes to open we would perceive the deathly danger to our way of life and national liberties. All in all, glory to the fallen. They will be remembered in triumph.

I will leave you with the stirring words of Gen. Douglas MacArthur at the commencement of the Battle of the Philippines in the second world war.

This is the voice of freedom, General MacArthur speaking. People of the Philippines, I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God our forces stand again on Philippine soil – soil consecrated in the blood of our two peoples. We have come, dedicated and committed, to the task of destroying every vestige of enemy control over your daily lives, and of restoring, upon a foundation of indestructible strength, the liberties of your people. At my side is your President, Sergio Osmena, worthy successor of that great patriot, Manuel Quezon, with members of his cabinet. The seat of your government is now therefore firmly re-established on Philippine soil. The hour of your redemption is here. Your patriots have demonstrated an unswerving and resolute devotion to the principles of freedom that challenges the best that is written on the pages of human history. I now call upon your supreme effort that the enemy may know from the temper of an aroused and outraged people within that he has a force there to contend with no less violent than is the force committed from without. Rally to me. Let the indomitable spirit of Bataan and Corregidor lead on. As the lines of battle roll forward to bring you within the zone of operations, rise and strike. Strike at every favorable opportunity. For your homes and hearths, strike! For future generations of your sons and daughters, strike! In the name of your sacred dead, strike! Let no heart be faint. Let every arm be steeled. The guidance of divine God points the way. Follow in His Name to the Holy Grail of righteous victory! - Gen. MacArthur. 1944.