The Mount Vernon Statement Recommits Conservatives to the American Founding

Home , Grover Norquist, Morton Blackwell, Political agenda, Sharon Statement

Primary Sources Conservativism

February 17, 2010

introduction

Like the Sharon Statement written fifty years that permanent truths such as those proclaimed by the earlier, the Mount Vernon Statement is a statement Declaration of Independence do not in fact exist and of principle meant to assert general beliefs rather that the limits imposed by the Constitution are obso- than a political agenda declaring particular policy lete and irrelevant. Rather than follow demands to cast positions. off the old and put on the new—the constant rhetoric The unique importance of this statement, consis- of progressive liberalism—constitutional conserva- tent with earlier conservative thinkers and statesmen, tism calls for change toward America’s first principles is its strong emphasis on “the ideas of the American as guidance for the twenty-first century. Founding.” It is a recommitment of conservatism to Importantly, the statement also emphasizes that the those ideas—which “define us as a country and inspire principles of the Founding provide a “natural fusion” us as a people”—as the core principles that undergird (as opposed to an artificial fusion of mere political conservative thought and public policy. This is signifi- expediency) that unites economic, social, and national cant: the statement underscores the long-maintained security conservatives and defines the core framework view that the ideas of America, and the tradition of for a consistent and meaningful conservative policy limited government and the flourishing of liberty that agenda informed by those principles. emanates from America’s first principles, are what Launched on February 17, 2010, and initially signed conservatives seek to conserve. Many of the phrases by a small list of prominent conservative leaders, the of the statement echo the language of America’s core Mount Vernon Statement has since been signed by founding documents. close to 50,000 individuals from many backgrounds The “constitutional conservatism” of the Mount and organizations. After reading the document, read- Vernon Statement stands in opposition to the claims ers may sign it at www.themountvernonstatement.com.

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The Mount Vernon Statement Constitutional Conservatism: A Statement for the 21st Century

Signed February 17, 2010, at the Collingwood Library and Museum on Americanism, part of the original Mount Vernon estate owned by George Washington.

We recommit ourselves to the ideas of the Ameri- but toward our founding principles. At this important can Founding. Through the Constitution, the Found- time, we need a restatement of Constitutional conser- ers created an enduring framework of limited govern- vatism grounded in the priceless principle of ordered ment based on the rule of law. They sought to secure liberty articulated in the Declaration of Independence national independence, provide for economic oppor- and the Constitution. tunity, establish true religious liberty and maintain a The conservatism of the Declaration asserts self- flourishing society of republican self-government. evident truths based on the laws of nature and nature’s These principles define us as a country and inspire God. It defends life, liberty and the pursuit of happi- us as a people. They are responsible for a prosperous, ness. It traces authority to the consent of the governed. just nation unlike any other in the world. They are our It recognizes man’s self-interest but also his capacity highest achievements, serving not only as powerful for virtue. beacons to all who strive for freedom and seek self- The conservatism of the Constitution limits gov- government, but as warnings to tyrants and despots ernment’s powers but ensures that government per- everywhere. forms its proper job effectively. It refines popular will Each one of these founding ideas is presently under through the filter of representation. It provides checks sustained attack. In recent decades, America’s princi- and balances through the several branches of govern- ples have been undermined and redefined in our cul- ment and a federal republic. ture, our universities and our politics. The self-evident A Constitutional conservatism unites all conserva- truths of 1776 have been supplanted by the notion that tives through the natural fusion provided by Ameri- no such truths exist. The federal government today can principles. It reminds economic conservatives that ignores the limits of the Constitution, which is increas- morality is essential to limited government, social ingly dismissed as obsolete and irrelevant. conservatives that unlimited government is a threat Some insist that America must change, cast off to moral self-government, and national security con- the old and put on the new. But where would this servatives that energetic but responsible government lead—forward or backward, up or down? Isn’t this is the key to America’s safety and leadership role in idea of change an empty promise or even a dangerous the world. deception? A Constitutional conservatism based on first prin- The change we urgently need, a change consistent ciples provides the framework for a consistent and with the American ideal, is not movement away from meaningful policy agenda.

3 Primary Sources Conservativism

• It applies the principle of limited government based Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research on the rule of law to every proposal. Council • It honors the central place of individual liberty in Becky Norton Dunlop, president of the Council American politics and life. for National Policy • It encourages free enterprise, the individual entre- Brent Bozell, president of the Media Research preneur, and economic reforms grounded in mar- Center ket solutions. Alfred Regnery, publisher of the American • It supports America’s national interest in advanc- Spectator ing freedom and opposing tyranny in the world David Keene, president of the American and prudently considers what we can and should Conservative Union do to that end. David McIntosh, co-founder of the Federalist • It informs conservatism’s firm defense of family, Society neighborhood, community, and faith. T. Kenneth Cribb, former domestic policy adviser to President Reagan If we are to succeed in the critical political and pol- Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax icy battles ahead, we must be certain of our purpose. Reform We must begin by retaking and resolutely defend- William Wilson, President, Americans for Limited ing the high ground of America’s founding principles. Government Elaine Donnelly, Center for Military Readiness Edwin Meese, former U.S. Attorney General Richard Viguerie, Chairman, ConservativeHQ.com under President Reagan Kenneth Blackwell, Coalition for a Conservative Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women Majority for America Colin Hanna, President, Let Freedom Ring Edwin Feulner, Jr., president of the Heritage Kathryn J. Lopez, National Review Foundation Tom Winter, Editor in Chief, Human Events Lee Edwards, Distinguished Fellow in Conserva- Morton Blackwell, President, The Leadership tive Thought at The Heritage Foundation, was Institute present at the Sharon Statement signing.