From the Declaration we all remember, I’m sure that famous line:
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.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
They acknowledged that all people were equal in the eyes of their Creator, something that they hadn’t been able to do before. There was to be no nobility here, only equality of opportunity. Notice if doesn’t say Life, Freedom, and the pursuit of Happiness, but Liberty.
The people of France didn’t give the people of the United States the Statue of Freedom but the Statue of Liberty.
On December 17th of last year someone I am honored to call friend, Harry Mihet of Liberty Counsel posted a video on face book with this:
“24 years ago today, I was part of this sea of people demanding "Libertate" from communist thugs that had enslaved us. Prior to that day, that word could only be whispered, because its very utterance might send you to a labor camp. But there was no whispering it on this day “
Most Romanians had spent their entire lives under Communist domination.
December 17TH was the Romanian 4th of July
II Corinthians 3:17 tells us:
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
The Founders used the word Liberty more often than the word Freedom.
George Washington in his Farewell Address defined the Founders view of Liberty:
Respect for its authority, compliance with its laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the fundamental maxims of true liberty.
Today, as you celebrate the 4th of July, remember Freedom isn’t free, neither is Liberty. Both require eternal vigilance.
As you enjoy the fireworks remember the “Star Spangled Banner” and the line, “the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night our Flag was still there”
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA"
Dave