The Founders' Speech to a Nation in Crisis: What the Founders would say to America today.

Description

If the Founding Fathers surveyed our nation today and together composed a single speech to America, what would they say? To answer that question, author Steven Rabb meticulously curated the words of the Founders from their documents and letters and crafted them into a beautiful narrative that defines and defends America's founding principles. The Founders Speech To a Nation in Crisis is a tapestry of liberty woven into ten themed chapters that culminate with a robust defense of the right to keep and bear arms, private property, the rule of law, and a call to action for every American. The Prologue chronicles a current day fictionalized reunion of America's Founding Fathers at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Through a stroke of providence, the Founders have assembled once again to take up their pen and save the country they love. Their resulting work, The Founders' Speech to a Nation in Crisis, is a celebration of America's founding principles, a primer on the Constitution, a clarion call to defend religious liberty, a caution on human nature, a voice for economic freedom, and a rallying cry to reclaim our country, once again, from the outstretched arms of tyranny.PROLOGUESCRIBE Through a cosmic stroke of Providence, the Founding Fathers have been transported across space and time to deliver one final service to their country. The Founders have been called to survey the state of America today and recall its people to their founding principles through the crafting of a single speech.Once again, they stand outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The intervening years have changed its gardens. The flag on its pole has noticeably more stars. And where once its backdrop was clear sky, now buildings of glass and concrete pull the eye.The Hall itself, however, appears unchanged, its red brick unfaded, its white window casings untarnished.All of this, together with the beauty of the day, is taken in by the Founders. Respectfully I follow, selected as their humble Scribe, as they enter the Hall by ones and twos - some deep in thought, some in private conversation - stepping once again toward the Assembly Room.Quietly, I listen to them discuss all they have surveyed: our schools and communities, churches and culture, and economy and governments. Some speak with more energy than others. Some with more awe. But all are equal parts amazed at society's progress, and disturbed at the loss of its liberties.Their conversations trail off as they file into the Assembly Room, pausing as a group as they take in the fond familiarity of the room. Tables and chairs fill it. Cloth drapes partially cover the windows. Twin fireplaces flank the far wall, which is covered in rich ivory paper and clean white molding."Just as it was so long ago," Alexander Hamilton, his blue eyes shining with restrained emotion, says in deferential tones. He looks toward the high ceiling and adds, "Not even the chandelier has changed.""And yet," Thomas Jefferson - tall, stately and staid, as in his prime - counters, "so much else has."The seven men continue to stand. They consider the weight of Jefferson's words as they contemplate their surroundings, its history, and their place in both."The power man has achieved over matter," Franklin marvels, his eyes staring out the nearest window - and at the inconceivably tall buildings they frame. "The engineering alone... truly I was born too soon," he finishes with a smile at the group."You worked your marvels enough," Samuel Adams ribs. "Let these inventors have their day too."Franklin's grin grows sheepish. Then, his eyes sharpen as he focuses again on the task at hand. "Gentlemen," he says, "it is for us to write something this generation will read. To say something they will hear.""To that I must object," Hamilton, offended, argues. "The Constitution and Federalist Papers are certainly worth reading.""No duel with me, Mr. Hamilton," says Franklin. (CONTINUED IN THE FOUNDERS' SPEECH)