Posted on 07/03/2020 11:56:00 AM PDT by Kaslin
On July 2, 1776, the world changed forever. The Second Continental Congress voted to formally sever ties with the British Empire. America was officially born.
On that day, John Adams wrote the following to his wife, Abigail: “The second day of July, 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. 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 shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”
Although the vote to declare independence actually occurred on July 2, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed and dated July 4, 1776. Hence, our nation’s “official birthday” has been celebrated on the fourth of July for the past 243 years.
So, as we begin to celebrate America’s 244th birthday, perhaps we should reflect on the history of the American experiment. As the nation is experiencing turmoil and mobs are destroying the statues and reputations of our Founding Fathers, perhaps we should begin with those earliest of years of America’s infancy.
On December 23, 1776, Thomas Paine penned The Crisis, beginning with these ominous words: “These are the times that try men’s souls.” At this point, the Continental Army, a ragtag bunch going up against the greatest military machine in the world, stood little chance. Yet, despite overwhelming odds, these patriots put their differences aside and fought through thick and thin. Almost miraculously, the undermanned and underequipped American Army eventually defeated the mighty British Empire.
Shortly after victory in the Revolutionary War, the fledgling nation encountered more “trying times.” From the robust debate over the formation of the new government and the difficult process to ratify the Constitution, our nation could not have come together without compromise.
After heated debates between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, cooperation and conciliation triumphed. Throughout the early years, as our nation expanded and fulfilled what some believed to be its Manifest Destiny, compromise was integral.
Sadly, there have been times when compromise has not triumphed over partisanship and ideology. The battle over ending slavery, which led to the Civil War and 600,000 dead Americans, is the ultimate example of rigid beliefs (and racism) overcoming commonsense and morality. However, one must not forget, or ignore, that hundreds of thousands of white men gave their lives to the abolition of human bondage in America.
In the years since the awful Civil War, America has had its share of ups and downs. From economic turmoil to social discord, the problems that have plagued America have run the gamut. However, compromise and reasonable solutions have almost always won the day.
Of course, America is not perfect. The United States, although founded on individual liberty, has not always lived up to its founding ideals. Yet, if history teaches us anything (and it should), we have addressed and corrected these societal ills via cooperation and understanding. And we will continue to do so. That is how we have built a more perfect union.
In other words, America has become better through public discourse and agreement, and we should celebrate this aspect of our history.
And yet, in 2020, one could make the argument that we are in the midst of “trying times” once again. Our nation is divided along many lines, and compromise seems less likely with every passing day.
Some groups have taken to the streets, destroying America’s sacred statues. This does not heal historical wounds; it adds salt. Instead of toppling landmarks and statues of men such as Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, U.S. Grant, Abraham Lincoln, etc., we should be looking back at the trials and tribulations that these men (and women) led us through.
The Fourth of July is supposed to be a time of celebration, not demolition. I hope, and I could be naïve about this, that the vast majority of Americans will reconsider the unruly nature of our current social and political environment.
Maybe, just maybe, we can all put our differences aside for one day and celebrate America’s 244th “great anniversary festival.” After all, who knows how many more of these celebrations we can expect in the decades to come.
Yes, Happy Birthday America! God Bless and Save the USA.
Enjoy your 4th. It’ll probably be the last one. Not long before Republican senators cast it aside in favor of Che Guevara’s birthday.
It’s my birthday, too, but I’m a little younger.
We’re kinda long in the tooth.
I suspect there may not be a 245th, and perhaps it’s time to call it quits anyway.
I made the same remark in a loud voice coming out of a local fireworks stand this morning. Other customers agreed. NONE of us were wearing masks. (Relatively free East Tennessee)
Trump: "Yet today, 240 years after the Revolution, we have turned things completely upside-down." - Donald Trump
And it's not just about jobs and economic opportunity. It's about freedom, exercise of "Creator-endowed rights and liberties," and opportunity for each citizen, not just self-appointed elitists who fancy themselves as entitled to make decisions for all.
See this web site, at which Richard Frothingham's outstanding 1872 "History of the Rise of the Republic of the United States" may be read on line.
This 600+-page history traces the ideas which gave birth to the American founding. Throughout, Richard Frothingham, the historian, develops the idea that it is "the Christian idea of man" which allowed the philosophy underlying the Declaration of Independence and Constitution to become a reality--an idea which recognizes the individual and the Source of his/her "Creator"-endowed life, liberty and law.
Is there any wonder that the enemies of freedom, the so-called "progressives," do not promote such authentic histories of America? Their philosophy puts something called "the state," or "global interests" as being superior to individuals and requires a political elitist group to decide what role individuals are to play.
In other words, they must turn the Founders' ideas upside-down in order to achieve a common mediocrity for individuals and power for themselves.
Thomas Jefferson wrote to Roger Weightman on June 24, 1826:
" I should, indeed, with peculiar delight, have met and exchanged there congratulations personally with the small band, the remnant of that host of worthies, who joined with us on that day, in the bold and doubtful election we were to make for our country, between submission or the sword; and to have enjoyed with them the consolatory fact, that our fellow citizens, after half a century of experience and prosperity, continue to approve the choice we made. may it be to the world, what I believe it will be, (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all,) the Signal of arousing men to burst the chains, under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings & security of self-government. That form which we have substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion. all eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. the general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view. the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of god. these are grounds of hope for others. for ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them."
The crazies have already been using fireworks for distracting their anarchy. Saturday may be the breaking point as they use all that noise and attack more cities.
I believe the vandalism, looting, rapes, murder will increase on the 4th and push our good citizens to the point of bloody defense. I've already mentioned that armed militias and armed neighborhood watches are forming. This is not supposition - it is fact. Plus, I have given my Word of Honor that I will take point for those behind me.
The punk BLM/Antifa/Socialist/Commies/Anarchists will keep pushing until some are shot. The police won't do it under orders from their Mayors and Police Chiefs.
My solution: Veteran/Active duty snipers hitting the arsonists. Plus, massive police/National Guard walking the streets with water cannons. It's time to end this insanity from these little white punks who suck off their parents money to be indoctrinated by marxists in college.
Contact me at Protonmail.com. It is encrypted, but you have to sign on with no charge to decode. ANYONE IN ORANGE COUNTY, CA, please contact me if you are forming such a group as above.
That is a joke, right?
Lying in wait..... I’ve been saying this for some time. Since the pukes know nothing about history, history would give them a clear understanding of what is about to happen by reading what a commander in the Japanese army during ww2 was asked, “why dont you attack the American mainland”? he replied, “because every blade of grass is armed” Citizenry have been buying guns and ammo since the first term of Obama. Quite a lot of fire power out there.
No, not really. I see more and more calls for a peaceable division of the country. Not sure it could work, but the direction in which we are going is not going to work either—and it will not end peaceably.
Six more years and we make it a quarter millenium.
The Republic was over on Usurpation Day, January 20, 2009 when both parties violated the Constitution by swearing in a Kenyan/Indonesian/British subject.
President Trump’s attempts to restore it and the rule of law has been stymied by the Republican party as much as it has by the Democrat party.
I suspect there may not be a 245th, and perhaps it’s time to call it quits anyway.
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No children or grandchildren, eh?
Kinda of a toss up, isn’t it? Hope for peace, but be prepared for battle.
What are the odds of all these enlightened minds being together?
The Founding Fathers were inspired by awesome philosophical ideas, merging concepts of liberty, justice, democracy, a republic and how a government should run together in a social contract between that government and it’s people, which you can see (and I have) at the national archives.
Given mans nature, how many people would turn down the opportunity of power and wealth when offered to be a king? Washington did.
https://www.heritage.org/commentary/the-man-who-would-not-be-king
I can see how some might think there was a divine hand involved. I pray we keep those noble ideas alive.
No, not really. I see more and more calls for a peaceable division of the country. Not sure it could work, but the direction in which we are going is not going to work either—and it will not end peaceably.
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Ah, contrary to all the bullsh*t we read about and hear about 24/7, there’s a simple formula for ensuring the peace and well being of our country (or any other country): NEVER FAIL TO ARREST, PROSECUTE, AND PUNISH ANYONE WHO BREAKS THE LAW, PERIOD.
Failure to do so means the destruction of civilized society and, as Thomas Hobbes warned in the Leviathan, the result is a life of “continual fear, and danger of violent death, and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”
He also warned us that “Hell is truth seen too late”!
That sounds so nice, but you and I both know that there is ZERO chance it will happen. The present chaos will only intensify if there is the least chance that Trump will be re-elected. That’s the point of it. And the politicians who do not want to see Trump re-elected will let it go on—arresting only those who use force to try to stop it. The country is ideologically at war, and our side is losing. Period.
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