Independence Day
John Trumbull. “Declaration of Independence.” Yale University Art Gallery.
The words contained in the Declaration of Independence were some of the most revolutionary and radical ideas ever printed when the document was published in 1776.
To fully appreciate the visionary nature of the words, we must remember what the world was like back then. It was a world of kings and nobility, peasants and tradesmen, a time when all people had a designated place in society, and everyone knew what it was.
When Thomas Jefferson drafted the words, “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,” America was going where no country had gone before.
The preamble also declared that “Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” Think of the radical nature of that statement given that in 1776, hereditary monarchies ruled based on their birth and not because of their ability.
In addition to the famous preamble, the Declaration of Independence listed 27 grievances against the King. While not as well-known as the preamble, this was an important part of the document since it explained why we were separating from the mother country.
These complaints ranged from “He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly…” to “He has made Judges dependent on his will…” to “He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the consent of our legislatures.” Taken together, they made a compelling case for our independence from England.
Ultimately, the American colonists in 1776 were left with two choices. They could either submit to the authority of Parliament and the Crown, becoming vassals of the state, or declare complete independence and, thereby, control their own destiny. Time has shown they chose wisely.
So why should the words of our Declaration of Independence matter to us today? One could fill volumes answering this question. Suffice it to say, these words revolutionized the way not only Americans but also the rest of the world viewed the role of government and the very concept of where the right to govern originates.
Moreover, they were the strongest possible statement about the rights of the individual members of a nation. The very essence of a modern free society flows from this document.
So today, as you are enjoying the festivities on Independence Day, please remember the beautiful document that gave us cause to celebrate.
Until next time, may your motto be “Ducit Amor Patriae,” Love of country leads me.
