Happy Independence Day

"I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States."

John Adams is one of my favorite Founding Fathers, the other being George Washington. Always a steady hand, always a clear view of the importance of our republic, Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, on July 3rd, 1776:

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. -- I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. -- Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

It will be celebrated such and ought to be celebrated such. Adams lived through the birth of this republic, the power struggles and bitter competition that ensued, days when there was no freedom to maintain because it had to first be won. Even then, he saw what could be and, by the grace of God, what came to exist.

We are beyond blessed to live in such a nation. As much as you may rue the instability of the current era, we are blessed to live in such times, for they are meager compared to the trials of the Founders and they afford us the opportunity to demonstrate service to each other and this republic.

A lot of people died to get us here and a lot of people died to keep our republic as we know it. Today, we celebrate the victories they purchased, our freedom, and the honor to keep it going, just as Adams intended.

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