Posted on 07/02/2014 4:42:58 PM PDT by nickcarraway
On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed and the door to the United States of America opened even wider. Nobler pens than mine have graced this event with prose, but I think it is worthwhile to reflect that however impossible the American Dream might seem to us today, it seemed a great deal less plausible to the Founding Fathers then. I defer to John Adams, who penned the following letter (shown here in part) to his wife, Abigail, describing the tumultuous events he helped orchestrate.
Adams's view that July 2 would be a day of celebration ever after proved to be in error, but his other analysis is striking for being both prophetic and—238 years out—relevant.
Yesterday, the greatest question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater, perhaps, never was nor will be decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, “that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, and as such they have, and of right ought to have, full power to make war, conclude peace, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which other States may rightfully do.” You will see in a few days a Declaration setting forth the causes which have impelled us to this mighty revolution, and the reasons which will justify it in the sight of God and man. A plan of confederation will be taken up in a few days.
(Excerpt) Read more at spectator.org ...
The Great Experiment, in a nutshell.
Things were really ugly on this date just 4 score and 7 years later.
July 2nd was the day that Congress voted for independence, which is why John Adams thought the date would be celebrated. The Declaration was adopted on July 4th (but the signatures were added later, mostly on August 2nd...Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the last of the Signers to die, was not in Congress on July 4th).
Oh how far we have fallen
Ohhhh, to have been a fly on the wall in that room during those final statements...
The DVD series John Adams really puts a real tone to that historic event(s)...
Very true.
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