Kachelman: Celebrating Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness this 4th of July

Guest post by John L. Kachelman, Jr.

July 4, 1776 is the most significant bookmark in civilization’s modern history. This day is singularly distinctive. It is the day that national sovereignty opposed a predatory, parasitic government. It highlighted individualism over collectivism. It was a day applauding the dismantling of elitist politics. It birthed the greatest nation on earth. It was a day when “inalienable rights” vanquished governmental oppression. It was a day of “independence” in many facets of life.

The celebration of our independence has evolved to be a day celebrating many things and regulating the truth of the celebration to a forgotten footnote in civility. Many are ignorant of this holiday. This ignorance fuels a degradation of national pride, a smothering of individualism, and neutralizing the courage enabling the United States of America to be “the greatest nation on earth”!

It is good to sit back and reflect on the events that are celebrated every July 4.

The Elementary Facts to Remember

The Declaration of Independence was adopted July 4, 1776, by the Second Continental Congress. The document announced the separation of the thirteen North American British colonies from Great Britain. The vote took place on July 2 and was approved by twelve colonies (with New York abstaining until eleven days tardy—anyone surprised that New York’s intransigence is noted at the beginning of our nation?). The formal approval date became our national holiday known as “Independence Day.”

This Declaration poignantly asserted the Colonies’ “inalienable rights” to be independent. These are natural rights of all mankind. It is the responsibility of the government to protect those rights. No longer would King George III dictate what the national citizenry’s sovereignty should decide in the North American colonies. The Congress appointed a committee of five to write the formal declaration. The first draft of the Declaration was authored by Thomas Jefferson.

A few changes were suggested by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston.

The Declaration is divided into three parts. Each section builds on the previous until a final, indisputable conclusion is reached. The document launched the “American Dream.”

The Preamble is internationally known and respected. It outlines how the individual and not the Monarchy is independent to act and choose equality, the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. A significant part of the Preamble asserts that the government derives its power from the consent of the governed citizens!

This was a revolutionary concept. It dared suggest that citizens hold the power to direct government instead of the government holding power to direct the citizens; the individual decides what the State is to do rather than the State deciding what the individual is to do! In the era of the “divine right of Kings,” this was a treasonous concept. Maybe one of the most significant parts of the Preamble asserts that armed resistance is a necessary action in the face of tyranny.

Our Declaration of Independence stresses the inherent rights of individuals. These rights must not be surrendered or taken away. These inalienable rights confirm the individual is more valuable than the State. When these rights are violated, the Declaration argues it is the duty of the people to alter or abolish a government seeking to remove the role of the citizen and destroy individualism replacing it with onerous State Government regulations.

The Factors Fanning the Flame

At the beginning there was no appetite for revolution. The majority of the Colonists were not seeking separation. Most wanted a larger latitude of self-government. As the war continued, many colonists wanted freedom from British rule. As the oppressive governmental taxes, rules and regulations increased, so the patience of the Colonists disappeared. The oppressed reached a level of intolerance to the government’s intrusion.

The Ruling Elite shrugged off any concerns of the Colonists. The governing Elite decided they would bring the rebels into submission (the State knows better than the individual). These Elites were insulted because their positional “prestige” was criticized by a group of “commoners” far away.

The historic timeline shows how patient the Colonists were in the face of oppressive Government’s actions. In 1767 Britian enacted the Townshend Acts; 1773 brought the Tea Act; 1774 brought the Intolerable Acts; April 19, 1775 saw the Battles of Lexington and Concord; May 10, 1775 the Second Continental Congress assembled and later appoints George Washington Commander in Chief of the Continental Army; June 17, 1775 marks the Battle of Bunker Hill; January 1776 Thomas Paine’s Common Sense is published and strengthens the citizens’ resolve to be sovereign and independent. Many suggest that Paine’s pamphlet paved the way for the writing of the Declaration of Independence; June 7, 1776 Richard Henry Lee suggests a declaration of independence from government tyranny; June 28, 1776 the committee presents its final draft to the Congress; July 2, 1776 The Declaration of Independence was drafted, reviewed by the Continental Congress, and adopted; July 4, 1776 The Continental Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence. It is signed on August 2 by members of the Congress present on that date. Those who were absent signed later.

The blunt expressions in the Declaration of Independence

• Expressed that one sovereign nation has the right to draw lines and separate from another sovereign nation when tyranny governs.
• Expressed the overwhelming legality for the separation—the laws of Nature and God justify the separation.
• Expressed that governments are instituted among men and derive their powers from the consent of the governed. When government becomes destructive to the consent of the governed, it is the right of the citizens to alter or to abolish that form of governing and institute a new government that does honor the rights.
• Expressed the fact that the blame fully rests upon the governing Elite. “A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.” Such unfit Ruling Elites must be replaced so the “inalienable rights” are honored.

The Sovereign Deity of the Sovereign Citizen

The rabid anti-God, anti-Christianity, anti-Bible culture attacking our nation’s foundations should note that their attacks will destroy the foundation of our great nation. Some, reading this, will bitterly and profanely disagree, but history is clear. The Declaration of Independence asserts a “higher standard” supersedes the mortal standards. This standard must originate in One superseding mortal reasoning. Ignoring this higher standard makes one “foolish in his thinking.” Some will smirk, but that is ok because they are endowed with the inalienable right to be fools.

In considering the Declaration we find four references to God. And these are not incidental asides. This does not make the USA a “religious government” using “religious” dictates to manipulate with blatant selfish bias. It does mean that the USA is a nation governed by the principles of the Judeo/Christian philosophy. These principles stress significant points.

First, “the Laws of Nature and the God of Nature.” The opening words refer to God. The Almighty is revealed in nature and is the giver of moral law between peoples. The Law of Nature teaches there are actions that are “unnatural.” The Declaration of Independence was substantiated in its action against Britain because it appeals to the Natural Law and the Law of the One who made nature itself. It is an argument from morality. Actions are “immoral” because they violate the moral laws of the Almighty God. The point is clear—when you violate the laws of nature by “unnatural” actions, you violate God’s Laws.

Second and perhaps the strongest point is that mankind is “endowed by their Creator.” Carefully note, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” There are three fundamental rights that every government must respect. Many miss the point of the Declaration that these rights come from God Himself, from the “Creator.” Mankind is created with these rights, and no man is justified taking these away.

Third, there is “the Supreme Judge of the world.” This emphasizes the Creator’s authority. “We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world.” The Declaration clearly asserts that God is not just the “Creator,” not just the “Giver” of moral law, BUT God is the “Supreme Judge.” This is not some deistic deity who sets the Earth in motion and then leaves. But it is a God, an omnipotent Being involved in the minutia of daily life. The Declaration states that the Almighty God will judge. (One wonders if the Representatives of the United States of America appeal to the Supreme Judge in their politics today!).

Fourth, the Declaration announces, “the protection of divine Providence.” It is not vague. “(W)ith a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

The USA is a “Christian nation” because it is founded upon biblical principles; its foundation is established by the “Creator,” the Giver” of morality, the “Supreme Judge” who “protects with divine Providence.”

On the day we celebrate our nation’s independence from mortal tyranny, it is good to recall the words of President John Adams, in his letter to the Massachusetts militia in 1798. He warned against unchecked passions: “(W)e have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our Constitution…Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

Our “Independence Day” is amazingly historic. It is a day that should focus upon the ability of the citizens to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness because we are a nation guided by principled politicians who are controlled by a humble understanding they are governing a nation who trusts in the “Creator,” whose principles of “Morality” eliminate “unnatural” inclinations, whose future will face the “Supreme Judge,” and who trusts in the divine “Providence.”

How appropriate to note that Katharine wrote a poem, originally titled “Pikes Peak” published July 4, 1895. The poem was put to music and today still proclaims, “America! America! God shed his grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!”

Indeed, such a day, commemorating the times, peoples and actions that have sustained our great nation, must be celebrated!

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