When revolutionary, God-fearing statesmen stormed into Dover for the 35th Delaware General Assembly in 1810, they didn’t come to embrace the status quo; they came to redefine it. This riotous batch of lawmakers gathered to wield their legislative power like a mighty sword, determined to secure low taxes and limited government interference, underpinning the emergent spirit of America. What they achieved left a legacy that echoes in today’s political landscape, a thorn in the side of liberal dreams of government overreach.
Freedom’s Bold Architects: These early lawmakers were a band of freedom’s champions, staunchly determined to build a nation that aligned closely with the core principles of the Constitution. With a judiciary appointed to interpret laws rather than rewrite them, they ensured accountability that put DC bureaucrats to shame.
Fiscal Responsibility: The 35th Delaware General Assembly understood what today’s big-spending politicians seem to have forgotten: you shouldn’t spend what you don’t have. They prioritized balanced budgets and a minimalist tax model, setting the stage for economic growth and individual autonomy. While modern politicians often treat deficits and debts like a minor inconvenience, these early Delawareans practiced what they preached—fiscal discipline.
Economic Growth vs. Bureaucratic Bloat: By keeping the government lean and the market unfettered, the 35th Delaware General Assembly championed entrepreneurship and innovation. They recognized that the economic engine that is small business could only be stoked to full engagement with the fuel of low taxes and minimal regulations. Unlike current leaders, who think they can tax and regulate an economy into prosperity, these lawmakers waved the banner of economic freedom.
Limited Government Victory: Perhaps the clearest victory was the sheer courage to limit governmental power. Driven by their unwavering commitment to liberty, they crowned local governance as king and prevented the beast of central authority from encroaching on their constituents' freedoms. Big government dreams would find no purchase in the Assembly's determined soil.
Defense Against Oversight Overreach: Today, we see oversight used as a means of control, but the 35th Delaware General Assembly was adamant that the government should tread softly on American liberties. They set a clear precedent: the government exists to serve its people, not to meddle in every facet of their lives.
Education and Self-Reliance: These lawmakers aimed to foster an environment where education was a path to self-reliance, not just a stepping stone to governmental dependence. They understood the value of education as an investment in personal and collective success powered by local communities, not through distant bureaucratic mandates.
A Strong Moral Foundation: They embedded their legislative goals with a moral compass, ensuring that laws aligned with the prevailing values of decency and righteousness. This moral clarity was seen not as an option, but a necessity.
Power of the People: The Assembly imbued power within the citizenry, ensuring their voices were not only heard but prioritized. This is a sharp contrast to today's political climate, where politics often seems more about elitist agendas than about the will and needs of everyday Americans.
Guardians of Human Liberty: With their shields up against tyranny, they put human liberty at the forefront of their agenda, laying down the groundwork for future generations to live free of oppressive governance.
Timeless Legacy: Their legacy remains a guiding beacon for those who hold individual liberty in high regard. The framework they erected has stood the test of time, serving as a bulwark against those who wish to expand government encroachment into private lives. Their conservative principles show just how thin the veneer of political progressivism really is when held against the timeless pursuit of freedom.