The earmark of a great nation is how its people treat the destitute or the underprivileged who began life in figurative chains. We know who they are—people who have suffered misfortune from the vicissitudes of life or who have been born into impoverished, broken households oppressed by drug-addicted parents and barren of books or intellectual stimulation.

They are symbolized by the millions of homeless and illiterate begging in the streets or dodging bullets in dilapidated public housing. There, but for the grace of God, go we who have won lottery tickets.

Ordinary Americans have risen to the challenge of keeping America great. They have heeded Corinthians 13:13: “So faith, hope, love [charity] remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love [charity].” Millions have given billions of hard-earned dollars to charities, including the Salvation Army, YMCA, Lutheran Services in America, Goodwill Industries International, American Red Cross, United Way and more.

Americans in increasing numbers have turned away from the Golden Calf or the armored knight to emulate Jesus, following his saintly teachings. Jesus instructed (Matthew 19:21): “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

The tale of the Good Samaritan, which hundreds of millions of Americans celebrate and reprise in their own lives, is equally instructive of the people making America great (Luke 10:29-37):

Jesus was asked, “And who is my neighbor?”

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

And then think of the more than a million Americans who volunteer to work at the polls on Election Day notwithstanding the occasional harassment, death threats or defamation. Our democracy cannot afford to do without them.

Recall the countless, underpaid teachers that inspire students to cherish learning, wisdom, justice and every benevolent instinct of the human heart. Their selfless, tireless, labors beget wonderfully prosperous, law abiding, civic-minded citizens that keep our democratic dispensation from capsizing.

Remember the first responders on 9/11 who gave or risked that last full measure of devotion to rescue victims from the terrorist abominations of Al Qaeda.

Friends, family, health care providers, and support groups unsparingly offer 42.5 million disabled Americans their time, resources, and tender loving care. They make America great by tending to the less fortunate.

Think also of the millions of mothers who without complaint or reluctance undergo the pangs of childbirth and the often-joyless tasks of child rearing, including sleepless nights, childhood tears and illnesses, and childhood dejections over school or friends. Mothers shower their offspring with every benevolent instinct of the human heart essential to their maturation, gentleness and happiness.

The U.S. Constitution — the nation’s birth certificate — was ordained and established by “We the People” not by an elite group. Leaders may be mean-spirited. They may be corrupt. They may be narcissists or sociopaths. They may chronically blunder and stumble.

But the fundamental goodness of the American people remains unshaken like the Rock of Gibraltar. And as President Dwight D. Eisenhower acknowledged, “America is exactly as strong as the initiative, courage, understanding and loyalty of the individual citizen.”

The wonderful, selfless, generous, industrious, benevolent American people are the nation’s deliverance. Don’t panic because our political class is not up to the task.

Armstrong Williams (awilliams@baltsun.com; @arightside) is a political analyst, syndicated columnist and owner of the broadcasting company, Howard Stirk Holdings. He is also part owner of The Baltimore Sun.