June 28, 2005
Reflections on the Fourth
Kathleen Amoia

Unlike most nations, ours, in common with each of its citizens, celebrates birthdays. And well it should. With the July 4 th, 1776 Declaration of Independence, America stepped out of the box and ahead of its time. Inspired, it declared that all men were created equal and endowed with the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Of course, its signers basically meant "all propertied white men." Women were iffy, and slaves were considered property. But a funny thing happened on the way to the twenty first century. "All men" did become all of us. Tolerance and acceptance grew. Freedom and opportunity were let loose in the land. The country had laid down in its Declaration of Independence, and subsequent Constitution, a platform for equality, civil liberties and responsibilities that it would gradually grow into and honor.

We are able to celebrate the occasion of our nation's birth because of the vision and commitment of some very extraordinary men. Well read in the histories and philosophies of their day, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, and their like, put their lives and fortunes on the line to establish a nation free of tyranny as they understood it. And they knew who to put in charge.

George Washington was chosen as Commander of the Continental Army because the Continental Congress knew him as a man of character and high moral and physical courage. He did not disappoint. Washington led a rag tag army to a victory that historian, David McCullough, describes as part miracle, a victory that might have gone the other way on any number of occasions. David slew Goliath.

Now we are Goliath with much to make us proud. But the price of maintaining our liberty will always be vigilance. There is a prowling intolerance loose in this land, angry rhetoric and posturing flooding our air waves, and a fiscal irresponsibility spilling out of Congress that jeopardizes our future.

In honoring our national birthday, let's take stock of this past year with an eye toward preserving our unique heritage and a commitment to passing it on to our children's children. Albert Camus said that "Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better." We are not done being better. We never will be.

So as we congratulate ourselves, let us also rise to the promise of our nation's birth, chose our leaders for their character and wisdom, and expect more of them and ourselves in the year ahead. Our vision should be farsighted and unobstructed, standing as we do on the shoulders of giants.

Happy 229 th Birthday, America!

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