Happy Independence Day America
Posted: Friday, July 04, 2008 by Travis Cody in
On 4 July 1776, our Delcaration of Independence was published. It begins with a statment of intent to the world, followed by the words we all learned as children, "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. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.
The document ends with this clear belief in the right to liberty...
We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. 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.
Do yourself a favor sometime today. Read the whole text, which can be found here. This is the embodiment of our national identity. I read this document every year on this day.
It is my document, written for me by men like me who felt as I do. Across the years I remember that they set in motion the events that let me live a free life. It is not a perfect life, nor is this a perfect country. But it is my country, and this is my document, and this is my freedom and my liberty.
I wish you a wonderful Independence Day.
Happy Independence Day to you too!! Hope you and Pam have a great weekend!