July 4

[johnharris]

We, as a nation, were formed on a concept of government existing of, by and for the people.

On July 4, a significant number of our nation celebrate a day whose origin arises from the declaration by "the colonies", the sovereign states, to secede from English rule. Certainly, there are those who do not celebrate the reason for the day while they gladly celebrate any reason for a holiday.

The Founding Fathers, the Patriots, the soldiers, and their supporters asserted that independence from England was their right and that they had a right to attain independence, to establish governments of the individual states and to form a union of those states for their common interest and defense. Our Founders sealed their fates by signing the Declaration and tens of thousands pledged their lives, lands and fortunes to secure it. We celebrate the sacrifices that were made to secede from England.

As I reflect on the beliefs, the foundations, the doctrines and principles which caused a people and their states to believe it was their right to secede from England, I ponder why, in less than 100 years, many of those states fought their sister sovereigns to suppress - as England had attempted to do - their desire to secede a 2nd time and to pursue, yet again, the formation of a new system of government "of, by and for" the people of those states.

[David Lewis]

Hear, Hear!!!