By the rude bridge that arched the flood, Their flag to April’s
breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers
stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world. ~ "Concord Hymn,” Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1837
Today marks the 237th anniversary of The Declaration of
Independence. After passage by the Continental Congress, a War for Independence
ensued, with the insurgents risking their fortunes, their very lives and the
lives of their families, all because of the truths that they and we to this day
hold to be self-evident. There are few people today who would put themselves in
their shoes. Imagine a citizenry willing to lay their lives on the line for
principle. The great principles of political freedom and of natural justice,
embodied in that Declaration of Independence are what we celebrate today.
We will celebrate Independence Day as we do every year on July 4th. For most, it marks a holiday from our daily work.
It’s planned around barbecues and fireworks. For some, today reopens the wounds
of the brave men and women who have returned home from war to the land of the
free and the home of the brave. For all, it should be day spent with family and
loved ones honoring the heroes who returned and the heroes our Creator took
Home.
Happy Independence Day from Palmetto Policy Forum!
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