Reflecting on the Fourth

“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 … And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

Reflecting on the Fourth

Have you ever taken some time to read the Declaration of Independence? I would expect most Americans have not, but I took some time to read it this week. It is a remarkable document. First, the striking prose of Thomas Jefferson will make you sit back and marvel at his command of the English language, his use of words, his powerful conveyance of thought.

You don’t have to study a lot of America’s early history to recognize the enormous risk the Founders were taking, and accepted. It was Ben Franklin who said, “We must all hang together, or most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." What Franklin and the other members of the Continental Congress were suggesting was absolute separation from England. This obviously would not sit well with the Mother Country, and if the Revolution had failed, “most assuredly,” Franklin, Jefferson and the others in the Continental Congress would have hung. But separation was the only way. The colonies were being over-burdened by excessive taxation and total lack of representation. The colonists were people dedicated to starting over and the United States in its early years was already making considerable progress toward managing itself. The States did not need England getting in its way. So separation, and independence, was the only answer.

We would not have the freedoms we have today without these men and their dedication and bravery. We would not have the country we have today without them. America, as we know it, most likely would not exist.

Now, think back on the numerous times America has helped other countries around the world. How without America, those countries would have been in dire straits and totally on their own, probably helpless, in fighting the evils threatening their way of life. World War II comes to mind first. And there are thousands of other instances in our history.

So take some time and pick up a book about America. Thumb through it. Read a little of our history, or a lot, about the founding of our country. Fly your flag this weekend. If you don’t have one, get one. The founders deserve it, and you will have a greater appreciation for what you have.