Uncommonly Brave
Happy Birthday, America!
Two hundred and thirty-six years ago, 56 uncommonly brave and committed men signed a document that they knew was their death sentence if they failed.
Benjamin Franklin’s statement, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately” was made during the signing of the Declaration of Independence and meant that if they did not band together in the fight against the British, they would all be hanged separately for treason.
Those Founding Fathers understood the gravity of the moment and in 2012, American citizens need to recognize like never before the value of our freedoms and the significance of our Independence Day.
While governments come and go – and some even re-write their constitutions and “founding documents” every few years – our founding documents STILL stand as the beacon for world freedom.
Two hundred and thirty-six years under ONE set of documents. Our nation is the LONGEST standing Constitutional Republic in the history of man. This is no accident. As we celebrate today with cookouts or lake trips or family time, let us not lose sight of the truth that America is special and worth fighting for and saving from those who would undermine our freedoms and liberties.
This year, may we all commit and re-commit to taking responsibility for learning about our freedom and standing for the foundational principles that have made the United States of America so special. It really is our responsibility and obligation.
At the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1876, then-Congressman and future U.S. President James Garfield stated:
“Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress.
If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption.
If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature…
If the NEXT CENTENNIAL does not find us a great nation…it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.”
More than 100 years after Garfield uttered those words, they remain truer than ever. Make this the year that you do more for your country than ever before and stand up for FREEDOM.
God Bless you, and have a safe and happy July 4th.
Sincerely,
Chad Connelly
Chairman, South Carolina Republican Party
