Insurrection vs The Perpetuation of Institutions
Posted on 23 June 2022; 01:00 PM IST. Last Updated 23 June 2022; 01:00 PM IST.Summary: This article attempts to establish the differences between Insurrection and the Perpetuation of Institutions.
Many countries around the world, which adopted “Democracy” as a structure for governance, are often faced with an additional struggle, which stems from its preservation. The preservation of democracy, is by no means a small feat, and requires an enormous dedication, from all institutions and citizens of the country.
Abraham Lincoln the 16th President of United states of America, described the preservation of democracy as the “Perpetuation of Institutions”, in his famous speech given at the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois, on January 27, 1838. Although, different countries followed different schemes for the preservation of democracy, the end goal or the “Perpetuation of Institutions” is all about achieving and/or preserving the dreams of the founding fathers.
A few important excerpts of the Abraham Lincoln speech are given below.
- The preservation of democracy stems from the reverence for the laws, which are to be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice.
- If the laws of the country are continually despised and disregarded, then the alienation of people from the Government could come as a natural consequence.
- The fortification against the above evil, is to swear by the blood of the Revolution, just as the patriots of seventy-six (1776) did to the support of the Declaration of Independence.
A cursory investigation, of the core principles of the above mechanism, outlined by President Lincoln, reveals that “he preached nothing short of a revolution, to preserve democracy”.
The author notes from American history, that Abraham Lincoln considered “Insurrection” as a punishable offence, but at the same time prescribed the “Perpetuation of Institutions”, as a means for preserving the Democracy.
If the reverence to the laws, are to be taught from the pulpit, and proclaimed in legislative halls, as prescribed by Abraham Lincoln, then these should be viewed as part of the “Perpetuation of Institutions”, and not as insurrection or incitement towards insurrection.
Although the “Declaration of Independence” prescribes that whenever any form of Government becomes destructive, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, there is no legal verbiage in US constitution, to distinguish “Insurrection” from the “Perpetuation of Institutions”.
In order to get a good grasp of the subject matter on insurrection, it is essential to distinguish between the different types of insurrections, outlined below.
- those which arise against the Government, from outside, especially from foreign adversaries. This case is typically observed between countries, which have serious ideological differences or active border disputes.
- those which arise against the Government, and/or the constitution, from inside, with an intent of secession. This case corresponds to what Abraham Lincoln fought during his tenure, and considered as an offence.
- those which arise from within, as a protest for preserving the tenets of the constitution. This case corresponds to a revolt against a monarchy or tyranny, and was prescribed by Abraham Lincoln as a part of the “Perpetuation of Institutions”.
Remarks:
The author believes that the founding fathers of US, did not engrave their visions, in cold, calculating, unimpassioned reason, but rather placed them on the high altar of moral values, and sought a very high degree of reverence to the Declaration of Independence, from their descendants.
Abraham Lincoln is probably the first US president, to recognize that the passion for the patriotic revolution of 1776, could dwindle with the passage of time, and passion alone, cannot survive the long journey, and could ultimately prove to be a disaster.
President Lincoln paraphrased the essence of the “Perpetuation of Institutions”, as a need for building the pillars of democracy, from the solid quarry of sober reason, moulded with moral values, and a reverence for the constitution; and for educating the descendants, in the skills required for re-erecting the pillars of democracy, when they suffer erosion, due to weathering.