As all are aware, tomorrow we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, the birthdate of our nation. The scope of what the Founding Fathers envisioned and achieved in terms of principle and undertaking cannot be overstated; keep in mind that although on that day the leading members of what had theretofore been British colonies declared they were independent, such pronouncement was the beginning, not the end, of their struggle; when British King George III heard of it, he saw it simply as an act of rebellion (which from his perspective, it was) and I am confident that he fully expected to squash the movement as past English Kings and other rulers of great empires had crushed thousands of other seemingly-similar uprisings that followed similar declarations throughout the ages.
When one goes back and looks at the document, it is longer and more legalistic than one might suspect from the few touchtone phrases that have resonated through our almost 250 years. Its signatories were men of education, means, and standing; they were not a bunch of wild-eyed crazies; they understood that they were all going to be hanged and their assets forfeited if they lost. They were accordingly moved not only to recite the principles upon which they were founding a new nation and government, but to set forth what was in effect a bill of particulars – in effect, an indictment – listing more than twenty reasons why they felt it necessary to take the drastic step to renounce the sovereignty of a King.
I would suggest that either over the weekend or soon thereafter, it would be worthwhile to read the entire Declaration of Independence. In light of our political situation, I have the temerity to quote here a few passages, a couple known to every school child, several perhaps not as frequently cited:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness …
…
The History of the present King of Great-Britain is a History of repeated Injuries and Usurpations, all having in direct Object the Establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this let Facts be submitted to a candid World.
…
He has endeavored to prevent the Population of these States; for that Purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their Migrations hither …
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
…
He has kept among us, in Times of Peace, Standing Armies, without the consent of our Legislatures.
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He has excited domestic Insurrections amongst us …
…
We, therefore … solemnly Publish and Declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES …
[W]e mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
You can, as Hall of Fame New York Yankee Manager Casey Stengel used to say, look it up.
We certainly don’t need a new Declaration or a new nation; we can’t improve on what they did almost 250 years ago. We do need a broader and better collective memory and understanding of the types of monarchical behaviors that our Founding Fathers felt warranted repudiation at the risk of their lives and their fortunes.
Happy Holiday. When not reading or pondering the Declaration 😉 , may you have the opportunity to enjoy the company of family and friends this weekend. Watch our flag wave with pride.
McCoy's Noise 