Conceived in liberty and still free

July 4, 1776 to July 4, 2011 adds up to 235 years since, in the words of President Lincoln, "our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

Mr. Lincoln spoke those words on Nov. 19, 1863, during his visit to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the site of a great battle in the American Civil War that was surely testing whether "any nation so conceived and so dedicated could long endure."

By then it had been 87 years since the American Colonial Delegates, "in general congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions," declared that the American Colonies "are and of a right ought to be Free and Independent States ... And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each another, our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

In 1863 President Lincoln was observing first hand the great difficulties inherent in implementing the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. He was also struggling to establish that consistency in the framework of those ideals is an essential ingredient to the endurance of the internal structures of any free society. The "idea" or "proposition" that "all men are created equal" becomes a society's "ideal" when there is mutual agreement as to the validity of its truth and common commitment to its pursuit no matter what the cost.

In 1776 our Declaration of Independence emphasized the "self evident" truth that "all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." In the late 1700's this notion that all human beings are possessed of an unassailable intrinsic worth and dignity regardless of background or "status" was truly a "revolution" in the evolution of thought. Even more astounding was the audacious initiative to enshrine this ideal in a governmental structure designed for the organization of a truly free society.

European intellectuals of the time were convinced that a society so constructed could never endure the dividing forces of various factions and ideologues. This was because most of their governments were based on the notion that the "people," the "masses" were "unenlightened" and in need of direction from above. In our Declaration we see a radical departure from this view when it describes the only valid basis for the emergence of government: "That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. . . ."

This is an amazing development in social theory, that individuals and communities of individuals " ... are and of a right ought to be free and independent ... " of outside or arbitrary directions not already rooted in the values naturally intrinsic to persons.

Our founding ideals are boldly stating that fundamental rights intrinsic to each person are not somehow granted by governmental bodies and therefore subject to "situational demands." They are recognizing that these rights already have fundamental and intrinsic existence because of our being "endowed" with them by our Creator and of our being given a participation in the Divine Heritage. In this way they are unchanging and cannot be taken away.

The citizens of the original American Colonies supported these ideals even in the face of great danger. As ideals, however, they were not by definition easy to thoroughly incorporate. There was not any easy agreement as to how to put into practice the ideal of "all are equal." Adoption of the Declaration eventually required some compromise with some of the Southern Colonies who, even though it was a clear implication of all "are created equal," were not willing to abolish the practice of slavery.

This failing in practice did not in any way detract from the validity of the ideal, and on Jan. 1, 1863, President Lincoln issued the "Emancipation Proclamation." He reaffirmed the full intention of our Declaration and insisted that equality of all persons had to also include the slave populations of those times. This seemed to touch on the deeper sensibilities of the more authentic American spirit and generated new energy in support of an all-out effort to support equal rights for all.

In our own times we often hear of various versions of corruptions or other kinds of failings and departures from the original intention of our Declaration. Such failings are sad and disappointing, and some would use them as reasons to ask for or seize more power, ostensibly for the common good. In these times it is all the more important to remember that all corruptions or failings begin with the beliefs, thoughts and behaviors of individual persons and that "those who won't govern themselves will most surely be governed by others." There always seems to be a strong correlation between the erosion of personal responsibility or personal virtue and the loss of freedom.

As we once again enjoy the privilege of celebrating our 4th of July, it is good to reflect on how each of us as citizens has an important role to play in the maintenance of our freedoms by working to keep our own personal character "tuned" and toned with our originating ideals.

Alexis de Tocqueville researched the real foundation for the success of the American Experiment in personal liberty. He observed that the genius and power of America is ultimately found not in its material success or vast sphere of influence but rather in the spiritual characteristics of her citizens, and that " ... if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."

Today's holiday is a good time to recommit ourselves to our originating spiritual principles founded on belief in God and to make any needed corrections in our relations with each other. We can also help set directions by exercising our right to vote and remembering that "tyranny's greatest fear is an educated electorate." This is the most effective and peaceful way to frame corrections for our society that can support Abraham Lincoln's hope that "...government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." Those who have given so much in the cause of freedom deserve no less. Happy 4th of July, 2011.

William Green is a Coeur d'Alene resident.