This is the third year in a row I've posted this. It's now my July 4th tradition.
The Continental Congress passed a Resolution declaring the independence of the 13 colonies on July 2,
1776, 234 years ago today.This is why John Adams said, "The second
day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history
of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by
succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to
be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion
to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore"
However,
the formal declaration was not approved until the 4th, which of
course is the day we celebrate. So Johnny was two days off.
Anyway,
in these times when a minority of reactionaries twist, color and
outright lie about what the American Revolutionary leaders thought (as
if they all agreed in lockstep) I want to quote the man from my home
town again, John Adams, from his Thoughts on Government:
"We
ought to consider what is the end of government, before we determine
which is the best form. Upon this point all speculative politicians
will agree, that the happiness of society is the end of government,
as all divines and moral philosophers will agree that the happiness
of the individual is the end of man. From this principle it will
follow, that the form of government which communicates ease,
comfort, security, or, in one word, happiness, to the greatest number
of persons, and in the greatest degree, is the best."
emphasis added
"Laws
for the liberal education of youth, especially of the lower class of
people, are so extremely wise and useful, that, to a humane and
generous mind, no expense for this purpose would be thought
extravagant."
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