http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=1623
Noah Webster on Electing Political Leaders
[L]et it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God.
The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful
discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect their duty and place
unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws
will be made, not for the public good, so much as for selfish or local
purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute; the
public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of
the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a republican government
fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands and elect bad men to make and administer the laws (1832, pp. 336-337, emp. added).
REFERENCES
Webster, Noah (1832),
History of the United States (New Haven, CT: Durrie & Peck).
