“We Hold These Truths to be Self-Evident…”
Editor’s Note: In preparation for the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, the Four Rivers Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Vice President William Sanders is sharing messages of the impact of the war on today’s society.
In this article, Sanders references a portion of the Constitution of the United States, which states, “We hold these truths to be selfevident, 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.”
When you read the title of this week's column, and you're above a certain age you immediately know the document it came from. This document came out 5 days ago 249 years ago, on July 4, 1776. If you guessed the United States Declaration of Independence, you guessed right.
In previous columns, we discussed what led up to this happening. The two main things were taxes and no representation. For the most part everyone had their fill of the way things were.
Let's talk a little bit about the phrase, before we move on. We, being everyone, hold (which means “believe”) these truths to be self-evident (as plain as the nose on your face – some folks have plainer noses than others). Self-evident just means “it is obvious.” In the last 249 years, truth has changed. What everyone believed in Colonial America is no longer believed. This is one of the major things that has changed America. What you consider to be the truth may not be the same as what I believe. We have thrown our standards of truth away in an attempt to be fair to everyone. Two plus two no longer equals four. Unless you believe it does.
What truths did they believe were as obvious as the nose on your face? The first one was 'that all men arecreatedequal,…' Thisis something that civilization has struggled with since man has been on this earth. America has done a pretty good job at this. No matter what anyone might tell you, if you are willing to work, you can rise from the most humble beginnings to be anything you want to be in America.
The second truth is “that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.' In the age we live in, we are afraid to mention God's name lest we offend. These days our country gives every religion an equal opportunity. I believe in the same Creator that the writers of this document believed in. They trusted in Him through seven long years of war. The folks that believe in Allah and Buddha are benefiting from it today.
What are these Rights the Creator has given us? The first one is Life. Although you may take it for granted, no one can keep their heart beating. Just talk to someone who has had a heart attack. There are so many simple pleasures: sunrises, sunsets, the laughter of a child, and last but not least a win over Alabama. There are many places in the world today where nations murder their citizens. One place this is happening right now is Iran.
The second Right the Creator has given us is “Liberty.” We have wonderful freedoms. The ability to assemble, to vote people out of office if they're not doing a good job, to travel freely, to express our opinions without fear. There are many countries where people would give their right arm to have half the liberties we do.
The third Right our forefathers believed the Creator has given us is 'The Pursuit of Happiness.” People pursue happiness in different ways – some through work, others through leisure, and many by their relationship with God. Most people of the world have to work 6 or 7 days a week just to get by, and have no idea what a holiday is. Some happiness must be found here, because everyone and their uncle want to come here. I hope his name is not Bubba.
As you read this column and my poor attempt at humor, think about what rights you hold, and think about how our forefathers were thinking about you, when they wrote the Declaration of Independence 249 years ago.
