EDITORIAL: Legacy of liberty

In McLeod County we have no parades, fireworks or ceremonies recognizing Independence Day. That’s why it’s important that we write about it here.
   
Our nation’s independence is worth celebrating. If it weren’t for the 56 brave souls who signed the Declaration of Independence 233 years ago, who knows where all of us would be today? Without our nation’s independence occurring during the final quarter of the 18th century, who knows how the course of history might have changed?

Our nation’s independence is a truly remarkable event. The United States of America were the first modern colonies to escape the dominion of their European authority. Not long after, other colonies in the western hemisphere followed. Within 40 years of declaring our sovereignty, most other large Latin American colonies had separated from their motherlands. Haiti was the first to go, breaking off from France in 1804.

But the United States led the way. Our forefathers’ actions helped forge a pioneering spirit that has guided this nation for more than two centuries.

The Declaration of Independence, written mainly by Thomas Jefferson, is a fascinating document. Yet relatively few people at the time of its writing were familiar with it. It wasn’t until after the American Revolution that people began to pay attention to its text, especially what it says about human rights:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

If you attended Hutchinson High School, New Century Charter School or Maplewood Academy, you probably spent an hour in class studying those words. It would have been better if all of us could devote weeks to learning about these words and the rest of the Declaration of Independence.

Indeed, the very notion of separating from Britain in 1776 was bold. Those who read the reasons for breaking away learn why the colonists believed King George had violated their rights, and why they needed their independence. The document lists more than two dozen charges against the king.

The Declaration wasn’t popular everywhere. Some wanted to remain loyal to the throne.

But in many places, its reading incited passion against royalty. Just as angry crowds of Iraqis brought down statues of Saddam Hussein six years ago, angry crowds of American colonists brought down statues of King George and other monarchs after hearing the Declaration read aloud.

Even at the time of its writing, the Declaration was controversial because of its claim that “all men are created equal.” Americans practiced slavery at the time. It was for that reason the document took on new significance just prior to the Civil War. Abolitionists such as the Hutchinson Brothers “interpreted the Declaration as a theological document as well as a political document,” according to historian Bertram Wyatt-Brown.

President Abraham Lincoln thought this document was so important that he described it as a statement of principles through which the United States Constitution should be interpreted. If you are a student of the First Amendment, you know why Mr. Lincoln thought this.

Want to learn more about the writing of the Declaration of Independence, and the reasons American have so much fun celebrating their patriotism on July 4?

We could recommend any number of books at the Hutchinson Library. That’s not a bad idea. But we also recommend the 2008 television miniseries, “John Adams.” It’s available at both video stores in Hutchinson. And then there’s the 1972 movie, “1776,” a rollicking musical dramatizing the Declaration’s writing and signing. Pick up the movie and you’ll see Blythe Danner starring as Martha Jefferson — a full year before she gave birth to her daughter, Gwyneth Paltrow.

Who said a history lesson can’t be fun?

(Editorials are written by Publisher Matt McMillan and Editor Doug Hanneman. They can be reached at mcmillan@hutchinsonleader.com, or hanneman@hutchinsonleader.com.)