This essay appeared in the Summer 2004 edition of “The Florida Patriot” Magazine

The Spirit of ‘76

by Saul M. Montes-Bradley, II

On 11 June 1776, Congress appointed a “Declaration Committee,” which included Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Robert R. Livingston of New York, and John Adams of Massachusetts, to draft a declaration in anticipation of an expected vote in favor of American independence. The vote took place on 2 July, moving John Adams to speculate that that day would be celebrated throughout the country with bonfires and festivities of all kinds to mark the momentous occasion. John Adams was wrong. We chose instead to perform our celebrations on the anniversary of the proclamation, rather than the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and are still going strong eleven score and eight years later, otherwise just as he had predicted.

Adams was, indeed, correct in realizing the importance of the events in which he had played such vital part. The Declaration of Independence went on to become one of the seminal documents in the history of the rights of Man, and its proclamation heralded the beginning of the longest running and largest experiment in self-government ever attempted.

True, it would take several years before the system was refined and a Constitution adopted that solved some of the earlier problems of the Articles of Confederation; and true, these many years later we

are still working hard to bring to practice the lofty ideals so eloquently expressed by Jefferson’s pen. Some may consider that unfinished state of our system a sort of blemish, proof of the folly of attempting a democracy in a republic in such vast scale, and see every change as somehow diminishing the grandeur of the original. But it is not the principles enshrined in the Declaration that have changed at all. Nearly a quarter of a millennium after the signing, they have withstood the test of time. Our way of attempting to live up to them is, of course, a different and changing matter. Many years ago, I was a tour guide in Washington, DC, and one of my perks, or so I considered it, was to visit frequently the iconic buildings of our Republic: the White House and Capitol — then with almost unrestricted access — the Jefferson, Lincoln and Washington Memorials, and the Smithsonian museums adorning the fringes of the Mall.

Of all, my favorite place was the Jefferson Memorial. Majestically placed by the Tidal Basin and surrounded by Cherry trees, there stood a round building in a town made of sharp angles. Alone in its kind, with a cupola reminiscent of the one Jefferson introduced into our architecture in Monticello. Open to the world, and in clear view of the White house, stood Jefferson surrounded by his own words. Those deemed significant enough to be chosen among his vast production to represent him and to justify the homage paid to him in that building. The quotes are placed on four vertical panels, crowned by the clearest cry for freedom ever uttered carved on the frieze. The one to the back and left of the statue reads:

“I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.”

Which brings me back to the previous paragraph: Take a look around, and be proud of our country as you are of your heritage. For after two-hundred and twenty-eight years, we have managed to consistently adapt to changing circumstances and discoveries and changes that are hard to grasp even within the scope of a single generation, while keeping faith with the principles of Liberty that led our ancestors to embark on this fascinating voyage. Oh, yes. That clearest cry for Freedom ever uttered on the frieze of Jefferson’s Memorial, simple and poignant:

“I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny imposed upon the mind of man.”

There’s the embodiment Spirit of ’76. Delight in it and take pride in it, but above all, live by it. As we celebrate our Nation’s birthday, make these words your own in every moment of your lives. You will then be able to say not just that you are proud of your Patriot ancestors – which I am sure you are – but that They would be proud of You.