The Antient and Honourable John Adams Society

April 23, 2003
University Club, Saint Paul
Click Here for an interactive map to the location.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and trodden under foot of men.

-Matthew 5:13

We cherish our government of the people almost above all else. It is founded on a faith in the people, who, in their diverse origins, beliefs, wealth, interest, education, and experience of life, can come together and, through reasoned discourse, sift truth from error and discover the best policy for government. In our representative system, we select legislators to carry on such discourse on our behalf, but we the people judge them in free elections.

We betray our faith in the people when we delegate public decision-making to educrats, envirocrats, psychologists, sociologists, economists, lobbyists, and other experts. By definition, an expert has a limited object of study, while public questions touch on multiple areas, and involve problems not susceptible of resolution by scientific inquiry. The people may therefore consult an expert on a public question, but should never obey him as an authority.

On the other hand, the success of our democracy depends on responsibility. The people must care about learning the truth and contending for it. They must possess criteria for determining truth and for discerning the best of many paths. When the people learn to love delusion, or disdain reason, or take the blind struggle for interest as the criterion of policy, they are no longer fit to govern themselves. In such a time of public degradation, who but the self-selected aristocracy of reformers-the tobacco bar, for example-can be trusted to wield the public power?

The Chairman, who is nothing if not a man of the people, has called for a debate to settle the question:

Resolved: This House Prefers the Populist Rabble

The Debate will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 at the University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, in Saint Paul. The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o'clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. While there is no dress code for attendance, gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies should adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen who arrive tieless yet wish to speak, fret not: the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand at least one of his quite remarkable ties for just such an eventuality. Questions about debate caucus procedures or about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (952) 470-7344 or the Secretary at (612) 822-8941.

If you would like to receive email announcements of upcoming debates, email the John Adams Society with your name, email address, and a simple statement requesting future "Whip Sheets" via email.