Celebrating the American spirit

As we gather to celebrate Independence Day, let us take a moment to reflect on the profound significance of this day and the enduring spirit of our great nation. The Fourth of July is not just another day or just another holiday; it is a powerful reminder of the values and principles that define us as Americans and the sacrifices made to secure and protect our freedom.

On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted, marking the birth of what would become the greatest country in history. This historic document, crafted with vision and wisdom by our Founding Fathers, articulated the ideals of natural law, liberty, and equality for all. It was a bold statement of the right to governance by the people—not by a king, and it was a call to all people to recognize their inherent God-given worth and dignity.

The journey to independence was fraught with unbelievable challenges and adversity. The courage and resilience demonstrated by the early patriots serve as inspiration to us all. They fought and sacrificed deeply, not only for their own freedom, but for the freedom of future generations. Today, we honor their legacy and the countless men and women who have since dedicated their lives to defending our freedoms.

Independence Day is a celebration of who we are as a people. It is a time to reflect on the values that unite us by:

• recognizing and claiming our God-given freedoms and rights that pre-date any government;
• recognizing that we are a nation of laws, beginning with our Constitution, and the belief in justice for all;
• recognizing our foundational freedoms: religion, speech, private property, the pursuit of happiness, and free markets;
• believing in the providence of a sovereign God, all the while respecting people of all faiths.

These principles are the bedrock of our nation, guiding us as we still strive to create a more perfect union.

It has long been said: “America is great because America is good. If America ever stops being good, it will stop being great.” —Alexis de Tocqueville.

And “America is the only country founded upon a creed.” —GK Chesterton. A creed that is good and is embodied in the values set forth in our founding documents—a creed that is now under attack. A goodness that is no longer in vogue.

I believe, other than the civil war, there has never been a more critical time since America’s founding than right now. Our nation is at a tipping point, as our very founding creed, values, and principles are being “canceled.” We are in an all-out battle to save these freedoms, the very things that have always united us as a nation, no matter if Republican or Democrat.

As conservatives, what we seek to conserve are the ideals embodied in our founding documents, those values found in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence—and to improve upon them, cashing in the promissory note for some who were initially left out:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, 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.”

We must never stop fighting for these founding principles, or as President Reagan warned us, if we do not pass freedom down to our kids and our grandkids, we will lose our freedom within one generation. I believe that is where we are now.

But as Reagan also said in 1986, “the things that unite us—America’s past of which we’re so proud, our hopes and aspirations for the future of the world and this much-loved country—these things far outweigh what little divides us. And so tonight we reaffirm that Jew and Gentile, we are one nation under God; that black and white, we are one nation indivisible; that Republican and Democrat, we are all Americans. Tonight, with heart and hand, through whatever trial and trevail, we pledge ourselves to each other and to the cause of human freedom, the cause that has given light to this land and hope to the world.”

As we look to the future, let us do so with hope and determination. The challenges we face are great, but the American spirit is greater. Together, we can build a nation that lives up to its ideals, where every individual has the chance to achieve their dreams and where freedom and justice prevail.

So as we enjoy the festivities—fireworks, parades, barbecues, and family gatherings—let us remember our responsibility to uphold the creed, values, and principles upon which our nation was founded. In every corner of our country, from the amber waves of grain to the purple mountain majesties, from the sea to shining seas, from the skyscrapers of New York City to the smallest town in Mississippi, the spirit of America thrives.

I wish you and your loved ones a joyous and safe Fourth of July. May this day be filled with a deeper love of our great country, gratitude for all we’ve been given, and a renewed sense of purpose. Let us celebrate the remarkable spirit of America, the founding creed and values that unite us, and the freedoms we hold dear.

May God continue to shed His grace on us and bless our great nation.

– Lesley