The reason we celebrate

It’s the Fourth of July, and all across the United States people will celebrate America’s independence from Great Britain.  It was on July Fourth in 1776 that the British colonies in America adopted the Declaration of Independence and declared that they were no longer tied to the British crown.  (OK – my history buff friends will tell you it wason July 2, but we don’t really care.)

Here are a few words from the Declaration of Independence.

When – in the course of human events – it become necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another – and assume among the powers of the earth – the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature, and of nature’s god – entitle them.

We hold these truths to be self-evident 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 abolish it – and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing powers – in such form – as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.

Prudence – indeed – will dictate that governments – long established – should not be changed for light or transient causes.   And accordingly, all experience has shown – that mankind are more disposed to suffer – while evils are sufferable – than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

But – when a long train of abuses and usurptions – pursuing invariably the same object –  envinves a  design to reduce them under absolute despotism – it is their right – it is their duty – to throw off such government – and provide new guards for their future security.

That’s part of the Declaration of Independence and the reason we celebrate.

It’s a radical document – a document that calls for revolution and the over-throw of an established government.

If the document was new today it would be condemned in every quarter as too radical and too violent.

But – each year – on the Fourth of July – the Declaration of Independence should be read allowed at every public gathering for it spells out the right of the individual  – and the requirement of the general public – – to make certain its government serves the common good.

That’s our right as Americans – and the reason we celebrate.