Thoughts on The Declaration of Independence

As an image for the Fourth of July, the Declaration of Independence doesn't cry out, "Look at me, look at me!" in the same way images of fireworks or flags do.  In fact, the image is so bland that I almost didn't write a post today.  But I realized that the power and attraction of the Declaration is its words and what those words mean.

I spent some time today listening to the words and thoughts of Thomas Jefferson as presented by Bill Barker, Jefferson scholar and re-enactor at Colonial Williamsburg.  Several things he recounted have stuck with me.

• When Jefferson picked up a stack of copies of the Declaration from the printer and began handing them to people, they looked at them and dropped them to the ground.  Why?  The document was of little value to them because they couldn't read the words.  Jefferson knew, when writing the Declaration, that he needed to write words that would capture the attention of not only the readers but also the hearers of the words.
• It was several days before most people living in the Colonies learned about the Declaration of Independence.  Word travelled slowly in 1776.
• Jefferson does not hesitate to state that the ideas in the Declaration were not new but a compilation taken from several other great thinkers of earlier times.

I love the leaders' reliance on Divine Providence as they make this grand statement of independence.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.  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.

If the Colonists had not stood together, if all the people had not unitedly supported this Declaration, the independence they sought could have gone the other way.  I'm grateful for the courage, stamina, and resilience of those early Americans. 

These days we enjoy the fireworks, the picnics, the family time of this holiday and, perhaps, take for granted the freedoms we have as a result -- and the cost of those freedoms.  In the past I haven't always remembered the cost of those blessings.  What followed July 4, 1776, was more than eight long years of war, until September 3, 1783, to fulfill the desired outcome stated in the Declaration.

Hooray for the writers and signers of the Declaration of Independence.  Hooray for all the men and women who fought in the Revolutionary War and who have fought in battles of any kind to help the United States maintain its freedom and freedoms.  It's true that the United States of America is not perfect, but I'd rather be a citizen of this country than any other on earth.

You can enlarge the image above to read the Declaration of Independence or click here to read a transcription.

This is one of the videos I watched today.

These are two other Thomas Jefferson reenactments:
> Interview and Q & A
> Thomas Jefferson on the Declaration of Independence (about 2 minutes)

Happy Independence Day!

--Nancy.

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