By Illinois Review
On Wednesday, former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron visited Judson University, where he delivered a speech to commemorate Constitution Day, urging the campus and special guests to remember the words of Benjamin Franklin, who was asked during the Constitutional Convention in 1787 what kind of government the delegates had just created – replying, “A Republic, if you can keep it.”
Cameron, who’s appearance attracted more than 400 people to Herrick Chapel, is a historical figure in his own right – having served as the first African American and Republican since 1943 to be elected Attorney General in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In 2023, Cameron was Kentucky’s GOP nominee for governor. Since leaving office, the former AG is now CEO of the 1792 Exchange – an organization whose mission is to protect free exercise, free speech and free enterprise and help American corporations succeed without pushing political agendas.
During his 30-minute address, Cameron reflected on the more than 250 years of American history “to navigate the changing world,” adding,
“What history teaches us, what our founders taught us, is that vigilance is key to preserving the Constitution for years. And it is my judgment that we have to be more vigilant than ever if we wish to maintain our Constitution and its Bill of Rights.”
The former attorney general discussed his work while in office pushing back against federal mandates and the loss of constitutional rights during the pandemic, and he issued a stark warning on how to remain vigilant during challenging times.
“I’m convinced that the erosion of our republic won’t come overnight – it will come masked in the idea that we must sacrifice some of our rights for our own good and for our own safety and security. It will be subtle and it will be paired with constant attacks on our Constitution and our founding as irreversibly evil.”
Cameron then concluded with, “so vigilance is key. We have a responsibility to be engaged in the battle to preserve our Constitution.”
On October 3rd, Judson’s World Leaders Forum welcomes former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who served as the 22nd Prime Minister from 2006-2015. Tickets are still available, and the event takes place on campus at Herrick Chapel.
Judson – a well connected university, hosts the World Leaders Forum each year to raise money for Roeser student scholarships and Judson’s RISE Program – a unique program designed for students with intellectual disabilities. Less than one percent of colleges and universities around the country offer a program similar to RISE. Over the last decade, the WLF has hosted leaders including former U.S. President George W. Bush, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev, former Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Queen Noor of Jordan, Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and General David Petraeus.
Constitution Day is celebrated across the country and commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787.
