Posted on 07/04/2013 5:14:37 AM PDT by Kaslin
This week we celebrate the Fourth of July, the day that our founders declared their independence from Great Britain. This declaration action came after a long history of imposition by King George III. While it might seem as though this is ancient history, there are applicable lessons to remember today.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident," the document begins, "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. -- That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, -- 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."
This was a fundamental structural change in the way that rights and governments were viewed and understood. No longer were rights held by the king, who then gave them to his subjects and took them from his subjects based on his will or his whim. Instead, it was declared that rights were endowed by God to individuals who, in turn, loaned rights to their elected officials. This meant that these loaned rights could be taken back by the people if they were not properly used.
Our founders concluded the document with the pledge to each other and an invocation of God. "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."
The founders signed our Declaration of Independence with the knowledge that the declaration would be viewed as an act of treason by the king. They knew that if they were not successful in their fight for freedom, they risked losing their lives.
They took this risk after great deliberation and with a firm understanding of the potential consequences. This was not a hasty decision, but rather a thoughtful and deliberate act. They were willing to die for freedom for themselves, their families and this newly formed country.
President Abraham Lincoln, when commemorating the Battle at Gettysburg that occurred 150 years ago, from July 1 to July 3, connected the sacrifice of those that died at Gettysburg to our Founding Fathers. While doing so, with only 278 words, he never used the words I or me, but focused on what actions could be taken by those left to honor those who had died.
"Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. ... It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth."
Our Founding Fathers risked their lives to declare freedom, hundreds of thousands of Americans died during our Civil War to keep our nation together. They gave the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, for our freedom, as have our soldiers throughout our history.
This week, as we watch fireworks and eat hot dogs, we should pause and reflect on those who have sacrificed for our freedom and liberty. We should resolve once more to do our part, to ensure "that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth."
It not just red, white and blue -- but also red, white and you.
Wanted to find an Egyptian flag to fly today, but thought of it too late.
Worshiping the man that destroyed the Republic as if he were some kind of savior is more that just ironic....it's sickening.
That's what Memorial Day is for.
On Independence Day, it would be more productive for us to decide whether or not our government still derives a just power from the consent of the governed or if it has become destructive of these ends and requires alteration or abolition and the institution of a new government.
Hear! Hear! Excellent point to ponder this Independence Day.
CC
I used to idolize Lincoln... then I went on my own into the archives and read first hand about him... you are correct.
LLS
'Get over' the shredding of the Constitution, the murder of the Republic and the deaths of almost a million Americans that were sacrificed in order to appease the perverted ego of a narcissistic megalomaniac?
NEVER!
CC
If you want to blame Lincoln then you should start at Washington with the Whiskey Rebellion. The was the first time a president put down a secessionist movement. Andrew Jackson threatened the same also to South Carolina. You Lost Causers don't know your history.
ROFLMAO!
During the Whiskey Rebellion, Hamilton accompanied Washington and clearly stated Governor MIfflin had the option of complying with Washington's Proclamation or leaving the Union
A proclamation was issued by the President, commanding the insurgents to disperse, while quotas of militia were called for from Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey. These Governor Mifflin, of Pennsylvania, who seemed to be in sympathy with the insurgents, hesitated to call out. He was, however, forced either to do so, or to break with the central government, and the militia volunteered in greater numbers than were wanted, even members of the "Society of Friends" joining the force.
Alexander Hamilton
The Constiuonal provision declaring the FACT the federal government MUST have the permission of the State in order to enter it can be found in Article 4 section 4
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
And on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive means the STATE governments, not the federal one.
It may not be amiss further to observe, that every pretext for intermeddling with the domestic concerns of any state, under colour of protecting it against domestic violence is taken away, by that part of the provision which renders an application from the legislative, or executive authority of the state endangered, necessary to be made to the federal government, before it's interference can be at all proper.
St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries (Annotated), 1803
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At the same time it is properly provided, in order that such interference may not wantonly or arbitrarily take place; that it shall only be on the request of the state authorities: otherwise the self-government of the state might be encroached upon at the pleasure of the Union, and a small state might fear or feel the effects of a combination of larger states against it under colour of constitutional authority;
William Rawle, A View of the Constitution of the United States, 1825
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……. (snip) The right of interposition must depend upon the special circumstances of the case. It is not susceptible of precise limitations, and is extremely delicate in the application. It must be submitted to the guidance of eminent discretion, and controlled by the principles of justice and sound policy. It would clearly be a violation of the law of nations to invite subjects to revolt who were under actual obedience, however just their complaints; or to endeavor to produce discontents, violence, and rebellion in neighboring states, and, under color of a generous assistance, to consummate projects of ambition and dominion.
James Kent , Commentaries on American Law, 1826
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§ 1819. It may not be amiss further to observe, (in the language of another commentator,) that every pretext for intermeddling with the domestic concerns of any state, under colour of protecting it against domestic violence, is taken away by that part of the provision, which renders an application from the legislative, or executive authority of the state endangered, necessary to be made to the federal government, before it's interference can be at all proper.
Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution, 1833
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You Lost Causers don't know your history.
ROFLMAO! I wouldn't expect anyone who thinks the original Constitutional intent of the Founders is a 'lost cause' to have anything other than the government's 'educational' view of *history*.
If ignorance is bliss, you must be ecstatic.
Accurate history can be a real eye-opener!
Think about the Scotus ruling that condoned judge Vaughn Walker's decision on CA Prop 8.
The people of CA simply affirmed what all civilizations have known, that marriage = man + woman.
A single man overrode the legitimate will of tens of millions of sovereign people.
Outside of a few websites and talk radio, not a peep at the outrage.
Our nation as a whole has become acclimated to tyranny and most don't even know it.
The original founders intent was perpetual slavery? LOL
The Union was saved, slavery was eliminated, our system of government was the same after as before (until Wilson and FDR), good for us.
States have power? Who’da guessed.
Yes, studying real History... not revisionist lies... will open the eyes of anyone reading it.
LLS
Can you photo shop him in a white shirt red shoes and blue lips?.
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