Gongol.com Archives: July 2020
July 4, 2020
The Declaration of Independence
Worth re-reading every Independence Day. Recall always some of the transgressions the Founders declared among "a long train of abuses and usurpations" justifying their independence: "He has obstructed the Administration of Justice", "For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world", "For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury", "He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us".
The wisest of words for the Fourth
Calvin Coolidge gave what is probably the definitive Fourth of July Presidential address in the 20th Century, but there are many other wise words worth remembering on this day. ■ Calvin Coolidge: "If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final." ■ Federalist Paper No. 76: "The institution of delegated power implies, that there is a portion of virtue and honor among mankind, which may be a reasonable foundation of confidence; and experience justifies the theory." ■ Margaret Thatcher: "The preservation of liberty depends not only on institutions, not only on the skill, determination and vision of statesmen. It also depends on the willingness of individuals to exert themselves, to risk their fortunes, and to give up time and money for their ideals." ■ James Madison: "[T]he character of the times particularly inculcates the lesson that, whether to prevent or repel danger, we ought not to be unprepared for it." ■ Ben Sasse: "America is a place for those who believe that fallen humanity -- including me and you -- is so often in error that we are reticent to use force. We would prefer to extend the debate, and try to argue and persuade another day." ■ John Stuart Mill: "The sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection." ■ And, perhaps more relevant than any other, James Madison: "Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm."
