What Made America Great? (continued)

"Life, Liberty, Property!" was one of the rallying cries for colonial Americans as they faced the challenges of increasing tyranny from their government.  Property was defined as an extension of the individual, not simply material possessions, but including them, of course. Acquiring material goods through labor or inheritance, and disposing of  them was part of the sacred right of property.  A person owns himself, his thoughts, ideas, writings and conscience, so that after the U.S. Constitution was signed in 1787, it included in Article I, Section 8, the legal protection for intellectual property through copyright and patents.

Respect for the right of property was taught in homes, churches and schools throughout America.  "Thou shalt not steal," was the moral basis for all laws regarding theft.  Children memorized the Ten Commandments so Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbors Goods was also ingrained in them.  This high standard continued even into the 20th Century with the extremely low number of thefts during the Great Depression verifying that.

Throughout the school years, the many stories and books that students read were selected with great care and deliberation to teach the highest moral lessons about all of life.  As such, it helped form and fashion the identity of young Americans.  Respect for themselves, others, and everything that belonged to themselves and others became a part of who they were.

One of the lasting results from the good education of America's young people was the wholesomeness of our American communities.  I remember that we did not ever lock our doors and windows, and probably most of us didn't even have locks for our doors and windows!  There was a general atmosphere of safety and peace in America.  Respect for the right of "Life, Liberty, and Property" was one of the reasons for it, and one of the reasons for the greatness of America.