“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” –Thomas Jefferson
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Today, many Americans will spend times with family, friends, watch fireworks, and engage in other traditional Fourth-of-July activities. Behind their celebrations, however, is an inspiring past, filled with patriots who were willing to pledge their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor in defense of the liberty that we now enjoy.
The whole philosophy of natural law and natural rights, as reflected in the Declaration of Independence and embodied in the U.S. Constitution, was so obvious to the Founders that they stated, “We hold these truths to be self-evident.” And they valued their God-given rights so much that they were willing to stand up to the most powerful army in the world and risk all to defend their liberty.
The tradition of liberty hails its origins from far before the American Revolution, yet the events that culminated in our nation’s birth demonstrated the lengths to which free-blooded individuals will go to obtain their liberty—six long years of bloody combat from Lexington and Concord, to Yorktown. Against overwhelming odds, they fought and died for freedom. And they triumphed.
These principles are never guaranteed, however. As President Ronald Reagan said:
“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, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
Patriotic citizens must always keep guard, lest the liberties their forefathers fought for disappear. The price of freedom is indeed eternal vigilance!
So today, as you enjoy the freedom of living in the United States of America, reflect on the cost involved to obtain that freedom. Ponder the sacrifices of those who died to ensure our liberty. And think of the ways you can follow in their footsteps today, promoting the cause of liberty, and limited government, its natural extension.
“Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof Lev. XXV X” –Inscription on the Liberty Bell
