Fourth: Foundation of our freedom

Today marks 237 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, on his visit to Gettysburg, Pa. This was 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."

The American Colonies had declared their independence from Great Britain 87 years before Lincoln's visit to the Gettysburg battlefield. They boldly stated that the 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."

What could have inspired such outrageous and courageous actions? It was the hope for a new and free society built upon the self-evident truth of the intrinsic and equal worth of each person because of God's free gift.

But after 87 years President Lincoln was observing first hand the great difficulties inherent in implementing the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. In the late 1700s the notion that all human beings are possessed of unassailable intrinsic worth regardless of background or "status" was a "revolution" in the evolution of thought. And that this ideal could form a governmental structure organizing a free society was even more outlandish. So the discussions among the members of the Continental Congress during those sultry July days of 1776 were not always cordial with easy agreements about the long-term meaning of their new ideal. Some of the Colonies were not willing to sign on to the Declaration without accommodations for their practice of slavery. Reluctantly, the other delegates accepted a compromise that postponed the discussion for a later time. This won enough votes to take the bold stand that astounded the rest of the world and that very few anywhere thought would succeed.

But any society stretching toward freedom that would see any of its members as less valuable than others, would at the same time be eroding its own structures from within and also threatening the bonds of unity based on a common ideal. Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and his efforts to preserve at all costs a Union based on the original ideals of the Declaration breathed new life into the dream of a free society. The Civil War had divided the nation over issues of personal freedom and intrinsic personal worth. These ideals are the very foundation of the American experiment in liberty. And one of the many painful lessons of the Civil War is that the development and maintenance of an ideal requires ongoing efforts to make that ideal more and more real in everyday life.

As we pause for this 237th 4th of July celebration and remember the countless sacrifices and struggles in the cause of freedom, can we say that our American Experiment is still succeeding? Are we doing our "due diligence" to maintain our ideals and to make them more visible?

The abundance that has been a side effect of our hard won freedom may tempt us toward complacency and the loss of vigilance over the invisible principles at the foundation of true freedom. These principles are fundamentally spiritual. They are reflected in habits such as integrity, personal responsibility, reliability, charity, mutual honor and respect.

Far removed from the poignancy of the colonists' day to day struggles under an oppressive regime, we may tend to forget about the natural links between hardship and faith, between hope and the courage of love to make real the goals of that hope. We may forget about the importance of considering the effects of our choices. And while we may be tempted to focus more on the "fireworks" of the Fourth, on the fun of parades or on other "dazzles" of the day, it is also good to reflect for a minute on the context of those earlier revolutionary times.

The colonists were listing their many grievances against an oppressive regime. They were resisting further unjust domination. But perhaps more importantly, they were also announcing their unfailing commitment to the invisible inner values that recognize and protect the intrinsic worth of every person no matter from what background or in what stage of life. They outlined ideas for a government that would derive its powers only from the "consent of the governed." They would resist the arrogant assumption that only government is possessed of all wisdom. Their new government would not be a "giver" of rights. It would be a protector of rights already given by the Creator and therefore intrinsic, inalienable and unchanging. These high ideals at the time of our beginnings continue to challenge us to never be satisfied with the status quo. They remind us to be always vigilant for the subtle ways of limiting freedom that may creep into our thinking.

Alexis de Tocqueville worked to understand 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. He commented 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 God and with each other. We can also demonstrate the value and power of our equal participation in framing directions for our society by taking our concerns to the polls in November. Voting with knowledge and conviction is one of our best opportunities 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."

William Green is a Coeur d'Alene resident.