America – a Grand Experiment 247 Years in the Making – But Can We Keep It?
Two-hundred and forty-seven years ago our ancestors embarked on what, at the time, was considered by most to be a grand human experiment. Can a government be formed that is truly by the people, of the people, and for the people – without eventually descending into chaos and anarchy? Can a government be formed and actually function, minus a monarch or autocrat, that truly guarantees the liberty of the individual?
The United States was the first ever to try and establish a true, long-term republic built as a representative-based democracy. Some doubted it would last. However, with the United States as an example—and sometimes as a template—today there are 120 nations with some form of democratic government.
Following the Constitutional Convention even some of our earliest citizens had doubts intermingled with their hopes. There is a story that, upon exiting that convention, Benjamin Franklin was approached by a group of citizens, one of whom asked what sort of government the delegates had created, a republic or a monarchy? His answer was: "A republic, ma’am, if you can keep it.” However, the brevity of that quip from Franklin must not cause us to devalue its meaning: constitutional republics are not merely founded upon the consent of the people. These republican-style democracies are also dependent upon the support and informed involvement of the people. It is you, the citizen, which makes this grand experiment work.
This is why today corruption at any level of the federal government is so serious and alarming. Any violation of equal justice under the law and free and fair elections is anathema to a people such as we in the United States of America. It cannot be long tolerated, or the very foundations of our constitutional republic will be shaken.
The Revolutionary War was long and costly – the second-longest conflict in American history. The 50,000 or so casualties on the American side are roughly equal in number to the U.S. soldiers killed in Vietnam. However, this was when there were fewer than three million people living in the thirteen colonies. When our founders pledged “our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor,” there was a distinct possibility that they would lose all three. The formation of our nation was dangerous, risky, and expensive.
On this Independence Day, let's not forget that freedom is never free. Defending our freedoms – our way of life – requires sacrifice and vigilance – especially from the men and women serving in the Armed Forces. To these men and women around the globe protecting our freedoms, thank you for your service. However, every citizen of the U.S. is also charged with defending and valuing the principles of our nation. We must remember the words of President Ronald Reagan: "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."
The foundation of our nation is still the words of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Much of our work at the American Center for Law and Justice involves defending these very things, including the First Amendment:
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.
Most Americans understand what's at stake. They appreciate our country and our constitutional republic. And they understand we cannot take these freedoms for granted.
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution – frameworks for freedom – are as vital today as when this country was formed—perhaps even more. The grand and noble experiment of the United States of America lives on. On July 4 we celebrate the birth of our nation.
Support the work of the ACLJ as we continue to bring you expert analysis and legal action on the issues that matter most.
