Imposters of Freedom

by Susan Snelling

Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism. George Washington

Preachers influenced the Founding Fathers and the heart of their sermons are present in America’s founding documents. From the pulpits they preached Christian thought that went into the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. One of those ministers, Noah Wells, in his election sermon of 1764, said:

“But ’tis not every pretended regard for our country, or zeal for the public welfare, that deserves the name of public-spirit. There are hypocrites and impostors, wild enthusiasts and frantic zealots in patriotism and politics, as well as in religion. Too often the restless spirit of disaffection and discontent, the wild zeal of ambition and faction, to the ungovernable fury of sedition, treason and rebellion, assume the mask of patriotism, artfully mimic the air of public-spirit, and endeavour to obtrude themselves upon the world for a disinterested regard for the common happiness.”

Wells recognized there are those who are merely out to make a name for themselves or to deceive the people for their own monetary gain. How many of our politicians become wealthy once in office. Author and president of the Government Accountability Institute Peter Schweizer wrote on “good graft.” What politicians learn behind closed doors is used to advance themselves financially whereas if the average citizen used the same tactic it would be simply graft and it has legal penalties. That is just one example. There are other behaviors. Today these types of politicians are not hard to spot.

Wells goes on to say “But ’tis not difficult for a discerning eye to detect the imposture, and unmask the cheat. Men of this cast and complexion, under all these specious disguises, have some selfish scheme at bottom, which a little attention will serve to lay open and expose. True public spirit has its source in benevolence and kindness to our fellow-men.”

Most of us can spot these politicians easily today. Some however are more subtle in their tactics and their lack of true patriotism or commitment to freedom and founding principles comes out when exposed in difficult times such as during the recent pandemic when the petty tyrants in them arose or during other difficulties like we see today. You can probably think of many other kinds of examples in recent years. Some of them may not be so easy to spot and we can only look back and see what they were really about as we grow in our knowledge of history and the Constitution and their behavior.

It is important to thoroughly vet political candidates; to look beyond the talk. Use critical thinking. Pay more attention to what they really believe, what their motives might be. Go beyond the rhetoric. It may sound good but what do they really believe. How will they truly govern. What have they done already? Do their actions line up with their words? What are their affiliations? Is their concern for the public good real? Are they men and women with true public spirit? Are they consistent in their core principles? These are just some of the questions to ask ourselves. You probably have more.

It is easy to denigrate politics and politicians. However, Wells goes on to say that because there are bad politicians, it does not mean that there is no virtue in politics. He uses the analogy of pretenders in religion (Christianity). Because there are those fakes it does not mean that religion has no existence or virtues. The same can be said for politics. It is easy to denigrate politics because of the conduct of those public servants with bad character, but it only means there are bad men, not that the political realm is of no importance or has no virtue.

Wells says “But to argue against the being and excellence of public-spirit, from these pernicious arts of ill-designing men, is just as illogical and absurd as to conclude, that because there are hypocrites and pretenders in religion, therefore religion has no existence, and virtue no real charms.” He goes on to say that it is “…a clear evidence that there is indeed something truly excellent in the substance, when even the shadow is captivating..”

Wells adds “As counterfeit coin, speaks an intrinsic value in the true; so this mock-patriotism, by which ill-designing men impose upon the world, loudly proclaims the excellency of true public-spirit, and abundantly proves its innate sterling worth.” If there were not “sterling worth” in politics there would be no need to fake or mock it. This is important. Recall Samuel Adams said “If ever the time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.” Experienced patriots. The true patriots. This is not just politicians but also those who speak into and influence the political realm.

It is up to the citizens to discern the impostures and then champion those with true public spirit; the true patriots, those with genuine love and concern for our fellow citizens, who defend our Constitution and founding principles and thereby are good stewards of what our Founding Fathers gave us in securing liberty.