“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” – John F. Kennedy
Most who reside in Cape May County have likely visited the landmarks of American freedom in Philadelphia: independence Hall, Betsy Ross House, seen or touched when you could) the Liberty Bell. While there, we may have visited Benjamin Franklin’s grave and his post office. In one day, we got a good idea of the visible symbols that helped usher into existence a new nation.
Removed by over two centuries from that formidable era in history, it is impossible for us to grasp what it meant to decide, to break from the Mother County to become an independent nation.
Can we imagine men, the nation’s Founding Fathers, who possessed such a deep yearning for freedom that they were willing to sign their name to the document known as the Declaration of Independence, and thus seal their fate if captured? How many of us believe so deeply in the principles that this nation was founded upon that we would follow in their footsteps?
If, today, we remained a colony of Great Britain and the Union Jack flew stop flag poles, if Her Majesty the Queen were our sovereign, if our representatives were lords and members of Parliament, and if it were necessary to swear allegiance to the Crown in order to enjoy all life’s privileges, how many would be Loyalists? How many would see it otherwise and be Patriots? That was the position our founders faced in the late 1700s. Against incredible odds, the seed of freedom was planted and it grew.
There must have been something in that notion of being free that struck a nerve, because to this day we see the masses flocking to our shores, legally and otherwise, who see America as a land of opportunity and freedom.
So many of us born in this land have enjoyed the fruits of liberty and really overlook or ignore them outright. As we sit in “Our selected house of worship, do we realize what that means? How many others around the world fear for their lives when they do likewise? How many exercise their right of free speech or possess a gun? How many spend a few minutes to vote in every election in which they are eligible to cast a ballot? How many have written, or communicated in some manner with their elected representatives at any or all levels of government?
These are among the freedoms for which the patriot forefathers grabbed guns and went into battle. They realized life was not worth living if it meant cowering to someone or something in which they did not believe. That sense of independence is the thing that has, since those days, separated this nation from every other one on the face of the globe.
Freedom unused is like a muscle left dormant. Inactivity will lead to atrophy and soon our freedoms will be paralyzed. We will want to speak out, but will be muzzled for fear it will offend someone. We will want to own guns, but will be prohibited. We will want to worship, but be told that’s not allowed.
Reread President Kennedy’s quote at the top of this column. Answer those questions he asked: Do we (do I) remain unflinching, resolved to pay any price, bear any burden, endure any hardship, support our allies, and oppose evil foes to ensure our children rid grandchildren, our posterity, will survive and enjoy sweet liberty? Early patriots put their lives on the line for what they believed; would we do the same today?
Court House – 10% to 27% of non citizens are illegally registered to vote and it is projected that 5% to 13% of them will illegally vote in Nov – it is not legal for non-citizens to vote in elections – do you hear…
