The American Spirit In 1776 And Now

Today is America’s birthday. In 1776, the Continental Congress declared the American Colonies of Great Britain to be independent. A new nation was born as 13 British Colonies jointly declared their independence and chose to associate and unite together as a National body comprised of individual States. A new nation was born. While birthdays are a time for celebration, they are often a time for reflection, evaluation, and making resolutions and goals as well. As a nation, perhaps we should take some time out from our celebrations to reflect and reevaluate where we are at as a nation. Have we kept true to our founding principles? If we have fallen short, what can we do to get back on track? Are we still living in the American spirit of 1776?

President Ronald Reagan is remembered for referring to the United States as a Shining City On A Hill. America has been called the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. These are wonderful and idealistic names, but do they hold true? Let’s look at the principles contained in the Declaration of Independence.

1776’s Declaration Of Independence, A Statement of the American Spirit

In Congress, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to 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, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

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 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. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, 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 usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security…

Principles Of The Declaration of Independence

The above selection sets aside the specific grievances against King George III and focuses on the general principles set forth in the beginning of the document. After reading it through, here are the principles contained:

• Political disassociation and secession are legitimate rights
• Grievances should be communicated
• All people are equal
• Human rights are natural and inherent
• Rights cannot be taken away, denied, or transferred to others
• Basic human rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
• The purpose of government is to protect human rights, and support safety and happiness
• Just powers of governments are derived from consent of the governed
• People have the right to choose their government- to establish, alter, or abolish it
• Significant, impactful changes such as to an established government should not be undertaken lightly
• Human nature is to endure through suffering and trials until they can no longer be endured

How are we doing? If these were a checklist, how many of these could we check off as being exemplified in our current government specifically, or the US government in general since 1776? We declared our independence and the principles we believed government should be based on, but have we lived it? Without the commitment, dedication, and way of life based on these principles, aren’t they empty words no matter how eloquently they are written or how loudly we declare them?

Participants And Advocates Of Independence

A form of government and society based on these principles requires the people to be participants and advocates. Human nature is to seek to grow wealth and power, even at the cost of others. When we choose to disconnect from our political system and not participate, we let those who have or seek power go unchecked.

Edmund Burke is reported (probably incorrectly) to have said “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Over the last two hundred plus years, we have witnessed the American people, and people all over the world, become increasingly disengaged from their governance. People don’t want to be bothered. They have been trained to believe their participation doesn’t matter. What has been the result? It seems freedom is declining and oppression increasing.

To again quote part of the Declaration, people “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 usurpations … evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security”. A root cause for the increases in protests and rioting we have seen the last few years is that what has been “sufferable” is coming nearer, or has reached, the point of insufferability. African Americans for example have suffered and they are increasingly saying, along with their allies, “No More!”

Sometimes human nature is to dismiss complaints of others. We don’t think things are really that bad, or worth changing, unless the problems are something we experience first hand. This must end. If we respect and care about others, we should believe them when they tell us they are suffering and change is needed. We should want people to be happy, safe, and secure.

Changes to society should be proactive. Advocacy doesn’t always mean petitioning our government. An important part of advocacy is to be supportive, proactive allies of others and to work for their relief and benefit when and where needed. We need to advocate for changes to society and culture, not just laws. If we truly are guided and inspired by the American spirit and principles that ignited the American Revolution, we must continually work towards them.

Choosing To Live The Principles Of The American Spirit

The Declaration of Independence set forth the principles our nation was founded upon. Many of us have principles we live by. On anniversaries and holidays we should take time to reflect. As we reflect, especially today and this weekend, let’s consider the following:

• What’s working well?
• What’s not working well?
• Do our personal principles match up with America’s founding principles?
• Is the way we live our lives in harmony with these principles?
• In what ways are we living up to our founding principles?
• In what ways are we falling short of our founding principles?
• What can I do to help our nation move closer to the ideals of our founding principles?
  
  

In declaring American independence and founding a brave new nation, the patriots and heroes of that era stood and fought for principle. They advocated through speeches, writings, protests, and more. What they had suffered had become insufferable. Eventually, insufferability gave rise to the American Revolution. In today’s America, we hear the pleas of our fellow citizens. We hear how they suffer through oppression, discrimination, and hatred. One way to respond is to show love and respect as allies and live up to the founding American principles. Our other option is to turn a deaf ear and blind eye letting them continue to suffer. The protests, resistance, and rioting we have seen so far will pale in comparison to what will come if we choose to turn our backs on principle and our fellow citizens.

We have choices to make. We can live up to the principles of the American spirit, or not. Either we treat others with love and respect, or we hate and demean them. We can be allies, or not. If we choose not to be a part of the solution, we choose a dark future. We can choose a better way. We choose a future of love, respect, and liberty if we choose to live the American spirit and founding principles.

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Garrett Leeds is the founder of the Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness Project

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