"I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not." (The Book of Abigail and John: Selected Letters of the Adams Family, 1762-1784, Harvard University Press, 1975, 142).
Celebrate, yes, but also remember and reflect. Remember the enormous and incredible sacrifice that was made by that generation and all of those that have followed to secure and defend that precious freedom. We were the first colonies ever in the history of the world to break from a mother country. It had never been done before. Today freedom is taken for granted because it is commonplace. Hundreds of nations and their people have followed our lead.
God gave us all rights-- those precious "inalienable" rights defined and immortalized in Thomas Jefferson's words of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." No government has the right to take them away. In Jefferson's words:
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of 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 shewn, 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."
Another Founding Father, Benjamin Franklin's words come to mind:
"Those who sacrifice liberty for a little safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
These men knew hardship. Many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence suffered unspeakable losses because of their signing the Declaration. They were considered treasonists and the British government targeted their wives, children and homes. One was forced to make an agonizing decision-- trade his son's life for his recanting his support of the Declaration. None of us would have blamed him for pledging allegiance to the king. Like a martyr sacrificing for their precious faith, this man sacrificed for freedom, for honor, things he truly believed in with every fiber of his being. That took a courage and fortitude that I cannot even imagine. Let us always remember these sacrifices, let us always remember how precious freedom of religion, freedom of conscience and a government of representation meant to these individuals that so much was lost to attain them. Let us remind our children of these things as we rightly celebrate this day.
Happy Independence Day!
Happy 237th Birthday America, and may God bless you always!
Linking up with ,Lisa at The Army Chap's Wife, NOBH,Miscellany Monday, Raising Homemakers and Modest Mom and Raising Mighty Arrows,, Spilled Milkshake,Crafty Spices, Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, and Just the Stuff Ya Know , the Fontenot Four and A Sorta Fairytale and Family Fun Friday and TGIF Linky Party
