Declaring freedom
By:
Dr. Jeff Fuller
We celebrated our freedom
as a country last Saturday. Two Hundred
Thirty Nine years ago our founding fathers placed their lives on the line to
proclaim freedom. It was Richard Henry
Lee of Virginia standing before the Second Continental Congress who presented a
resolution, which in part stated, “these United Colonies are, and of right
ought to be, free and independent states.”
Congress appointed a
committee of five men to hammer out a formal Declaration of Independence. These men were: Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin
Franklin, John Adams, Robert Livingston and Roger Sherman. It was Thomas Jefferson who was asked by the
other four members of the committee to do the actual writing.
Working feverously, the
committee presented the document to congress on June 28, 1776. As is common with any delegation or body,
they did not immediately discuss the Declaration, instead focusing attention
the resolution by Lee, which was formally adopted on July 2 when the United
States of America declared independence from Great Britain. Turning to the committee’s statement,
Congress continued to discuss the document on July 3.
It was on July 4, after
several alterations were made, that Congress adopted the Declaration of
Independence, and in bold, decisive strokes John Hancock of Massachusetts,
serving as President of the body, signed the document. All others members of Congress signed it as
well and copies were prepared and rushed to the legislatures of the newly
created states. It was not until July 8
the Declaration was officially proclaimed in Philadelphia.
A most cherished
statement, the document which was written by Thomas Jefferson has inspired
others with its noble ideas and remarkable eloquence. Yet, what should not be obscured is the
practical position of the document.
There are three major purposes set forth which are most beautiful when
examined with understanding.
First, there is the
Preamble and reasons for separation. It
was document meant to win public support for the cause of independence. Here in the introduction we find listed
twenty seven “reasons for separation” from Great Britain. The king is seen as an evil ruler who was
aiming to establish absolute tyranny over the colonies. The harsh indictments are seen clearly in the
grievances, as George III is said to have “forbidden, plundered, refused,
constrained” in his response and treatment of the people.
We see the opposite is
true of the colonist. They are pictured
as patient, submissive and longsuffering citizens, wanting to make things work
out without conflict. It is stated, “We
have petitioned…we have warned…we have reminded…we have appealed.”
Secondly, we find the
body of the document to reveal a new theory of government. This is where we see why this document has
lasting effect and admiration. In the
opening paragraph, Jefferson clearly and simply states the basic principles of
democracy: “…all men are created equal…they are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable rights; …among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness.” The phrase, “unalienable
rights,” speaks of rights which cannot be taken away from the people-not by any
government, not even by the people themselves.
It is clear the purpose
of government is to “secure these rights.”
In order to the government obtains authority through the governed. He wrote, “Their just powers [are derived]
from the consent of the governed” and the people have the right to correct the
government, control the government and chastise the government when it begins
to act like a tyrant: “It is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it,
and to institute new government.”
It is clear that the
declaration states the right of the American colonist to revolt against the
British rulers. These theories outlined
in the Declaration were an invitation to all men, in all times, to assume the
right to rule themselves and to accept as truth that knowledge to which their
reason had guided them.
Lastly, we see a formal
declaration of war. The last paragraph contains
the announcement that war existed.
Thomas Paine had predicted there were practical advantages for the
Patriots, but it also came with grave consequences. Should the Patriots fail in making good on
their claim to independence, the revolutionary leaders could be judged guilty
of treason against the British Crown and executed as traitors.
In the document this is
said to be done as they pledged “our lives,” knowing this possibility. They were willing to give up all they had;
their “lives…fortunes…sacred honor” to the success of winning the struggle and
these were not idle words of political rhetoric. Every man who bent, with quill in hand,
signing the document knew the possible results and must have had some deep
sense of anxiety, yet they willingly sacrificed all for the cause. They pledged all and failure would be ruin.
Therefore let us not lose
sight of what made us free and forever proclaim freedom. Do so by voting, do so by staying informed,
do so by calling legislators with your opinions regarding pressing matters
before our lawmakers, and do so by standing for truth and justice.
God bless America!
(Dr. Jeff Fuller is
pastor of the Rockford Baptist Church in Rockford, Alabama. You may reach him through the church office
at 256-377-4900 or by email at fuller0717@gmail.com.)
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