I recently rediscovered Thomas Paine's book Common Sense. It has been dubbed by some, "The book that built America." It had a direct influence on the form this country took. It's a short book, if anyone wants to read it. I mention it here because I believe it is evidence that this country was built on what, today, might be called conservative republican principles. It's a real case for the party-line.
You can get the newest edition of it at:
http://bigfishbooks.com/commonsense.html