Cookouts and parades, beer and bunting, seeing fireworks for the first time and then seeing them again every year thereafter. The memories always leading back to that first time, of being four or five, or seven and the beginning of understanding: This means something important. Something special. Someday you’d understand.
Dead White Men with classical educations and a great deal to lose risking it all – all of it – on a test of wills with a dyspeptic tyrant, a preening aristocracy and grasping parliament atop the world’s most powerful empire. Farmers and merchants in ragged lines opposing professional troops in rank upon rank, losing every battle but the last one. Holding them as we held all mankind, “Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.”
A republic built upon the radical notion that all of us were smarter than any of us. Or if we were not, that it was better to pretend as though we were. A republic that understood, as Thomas Paine wrote in Common Sense, that society and government were not just different things but had different origins, the first an enshrinement of our wants, the latter a recognition of our wickedness. A new nation “conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal,” a hopeful truth that would only begin to emerge from beneath the soil of our original sin when washed with the blood of 200,000 patriots on either side.
Whose valorous example led new generations to free islands, nations and continents, offering smashing blows to tyrannies and helping hands to legions of the bewildered oppressed, all because we held certain truths to be self-evident.
We hold them still.
Whose example inspires us still, when nearly all the world has grown jaded and weary, and only wants to look away from tyrannies, from potentates and thugs “unfit to be the rulers of free states.”
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 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.
Something special indeed
Happy July 4th, Lex and all of the Lex Babes and Lex Dudes!
Best wishes from your slightly eccentric, some-times annoying friend from the Great White Up
Michelle,
It’s always good having someone watching the back door. Even if we did have to threaten war in order to get ya straighned out. (“Fifty-four forty or fight”) * tosses grenade into room and runs for life*
Happy Birthday America! Yes a bunch of dead white guys risked all that they had – and all that their descendants would have – to craft this Republic and grant us our freedom.
What a spectacular success they achieved!
[...] Lex [...]
Happy Independence Day, Y’all!
My thanks to those dead white guys (clinging to guns and religion) who risked it all. We owe them so much. I’m so grateful to have been born in this wonderful country.
Outstanding!
Have a great Fourth of July!!
I’m coming out of lurking to wish you a wonderful Independence Day. Excellent post!
To Lex, and all who have served and protected this great country of ours, an impassioned and humble thanks on this Fourth of July 2008. We love you and are forever grateful …
Marianne
Happy Independence Day, From all of us in Afghanistan.
Happy Fourth of July from a first-generation immigrant who knows just how unique and wonderful this country is.
“…..we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
An act of incredible courage; for they were as David facing Goliath. And yet, “their firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence” was well placed.
As one who loves this country, I pray that I and my fellow citizens have the same strength of character and firm reliance on the Creator “to do all other Acts and Things” which will allow the citizens of this proud Nation to continue to enjoy “certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
To the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, long may it endure.
Excellent post, Cap’n.
Risk it all, they certainly did. Scroll down to the July 4 post on the link to get a better idea of the personal toll paid by the signers of the Declaration.
Happy Birthday America.
“Whose valorous example led new generations to free islands, nations and continents, offering smashing blows to tyrannies and helping hands to legions of the bewildered oppressed, all because we held certain truths to be self-evident.”
Powerful words, Lex. Well said.
George V.
“… losing every battle but the last one.”
Resisting temptation to quibble — cut you slack for poetic license in service of a larger point well made.
Happy 4th.
I note that we seem a more sedate crowd than two years ago; not that that’s a bad thing . . .
Happy Fourth everyone!
(And a belated Happy Canada Day to you Michelle!)
Why, thank you, good sir.
Happy Birthday, USA… this link says it better than I… take a listen… celebrate and enjoy!
http://www.greatdanepromilitary.com/Battle%20Hymn/index.htm
[The Link! The Link! Thanks for remembering The Link!]
Have a great Independence Day, y’all. I hope to occupy the fantail or bow of a distinguished vessel (w/hull # 0f 100, or thereabouts). You know, spend it with “the Kidd”.
With best wishes!
That’s what it’s all about.
“We hold them still.” Fine words, Lex, for the 4th of July.
Got a call from Parris Island today. A call! “Hi, this is Recruit Joseph…..I have 1 minute.” I don’t know if the DI’s let them all call, but it was good to hear him, and he sounded strong.
Semper Fi
Happy birthday USA.
And God bless us, every one.