A Place for a Declaration of Independence II

Today we celebrate the signing of the “Declaration of Independence” that officially formed our nation.  It took Thomas Jefferson 17 days to write it and on July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to declare independence from Great Britain.

According to Wikipedia, John Adams wrote the following to his wife Abigail:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch 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 forever more.^[7]

Obviously, John Adams’ prediction came true. For most Americans, July 4^th is a holiday to: participate in or experience a parade, shoot or observe fireworks, join friends and family for a cookout, or perhaps play or watch a baseball game.

As critical thinkers, let us stop and examine what and why we celebrate today. 

Following the Declaration of Independence, the founding fathers began work on writing the constitution and on December 15, 1791, following much heated debate, the body ratified what is now known as the “Bill of Rights”:

THE FIRST 10 AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AS RATIFIED BY THE STATES ("The Bill of Rights")**

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.   

Amendment II

A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.   

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.   

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

**Because the Ninth and Tenth Amendments are not specific guarantees of individual liberties, in some usages "The Bill of Rights" refers only to the first eight amendments.

Wow, great! But let’s move back to the Declaration of Independence and consider the phrase “that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”.  Jefferson chose to write, “and the pursuit of happiness”- not the promise of happiness.  For perhaps he wisely knew that happiness is fleeting and elusive.  But he recognized that a government should not stand in the way of the pursuit of happiness.  I ask, “Shouldn’t a government promote and support the pursuit of happiness?”  How often have we heard the words “happiness” and “war” used in the same sentence?  Obviously, not very often.  In fact, aren’t these words mutually incompatible?  Should a government allocate an inordinate percentage of its resources to a war machine that ultimately causes death and destruction, instead of financially supporting “life” and “the pursuit of happiness”?

Our congress is presently arguing over how to deal with illegal immigration. Shouldn’t a basic principle in the debate be how to protect “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”?

For the record, I researched the question, “What authority does the Constitution provide regarding immigration?” and here is what I discovered: https://www.theamericanview.com/constitution-course-supplemental-assignments/what-authority-does-the-u-s-constitution-give-the-federal-government-regarding-immigration/.

Today as we celebrate the 4^th, let’s embrace broadly the phrase, “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”.

CPW