Staying ‘national’ breathes fresh air into the Declaration of Independence,
in that it creates an incredible space for all the citizens of our national community
to agree on the fundamental ideas that first established American independence:
that we are all created equal in value, that we have a natural right to life, liberty,
and to be happy, and that to secure these inalienable rights,
a government of the people is formed for the protection of the people.
Adherence to the promise of an integrated community as set forth in that declaratory founding document is easy if we lay our self-interest aside. All that remains after the reading of that promissory note, and the recognition of the servant leaders that have exemplified the right defense and action, is to pursue being happy. Can we have a people who are objective & independent critical thinkers without theories or new visions of what America ‘should be,’ and honor the true document meant to unify Americans as one community?
In the mid 1850’s, with a great tactical, intellectual, yet grounded delivery of oratory, Abraham Lincoln enters the rhythm of the people’s hearts and minds in a ‘reverse movement of thought’ aimed to preserve the national union with a laser focus upon gently, deftly, and with the utmost humility…bringing the people’s attention unto the unifying words and ideas encased in our Declaration of Independence.
It is in the agreement that we have equal value as created human beings, that the foundation of our national union remains.
Across towns, cities, and finally, our nation’s capital, Abraham Lincoln moved in alignment, yet, perhaps a timed step in front of and on the proverbial shoulders of the sentinel champion servants who also stood in the breach of the walls of liberty before him and beside him. Think of the life of Benjamin Banneker and his conversation challenging Thomas Jefferson, the unique spirit of George Washington completely opened in his final will and testament. Abraham Lincoln had respect and understanding unto the strength of spirit of John & Abigail Adams’s individual selfless contributions, as well as their united front as an anchor of altruism unto the idea of liberty. Their upbringing of John Quincy Adams; himself enduring against all odds, stepping out of the ‘status quo’ box of popular sentiment to reach out to the Native Americans. He was looking to integrate these ‘first people’ into the national community. His defense of humanity was a defense of that founding document, and never a means of garnering political points or indoctrination unto any new vision of what America ‘should be.’ Abraham Lincoln understood the simple, genius of that ‘Declaration:’ You already have the natural right to life without asking leave of anyone, as long as you and I respect the right of life & liberty for all others to also be happy; respecting the inherent equal value of our humanity we have the fundamental foundation of justice that binds us together as one community.
So it is, that in the good defense of the founding ideas of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln ascended to the national conversation in response to the repeal of the ‘Missouri Compromise,’ understanding that the annulling of that anti-slavery law directly challenged the premise of the founding document meant to unify the American people because its undoing meant the reverse of the promissory note of natural liberty that is our Declaration of Independence. He elegantly blocked the slavery contagion entrenched in government with a fleet of champions immediately behind him. These were abolitionists, including the ongoing work of Frederick Douglass, the works of John Quincy Adams, and those sentinels mentioned in this writing.
The plowing forth of the path of liberty is not unto new ground,
but upon a soil that does not tire or deplete;
the tilling of its understanding and then its defense
generating its vitality once more—
Trodden first in the reading of the Declaration of Independence,
closely thereafter in the recognition of the altruist selfless servants of liberty,
and finally, in the present moment,
with our relentless defense of the same.
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