On this Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2009, I want share an excerpt from the writings of Thomas Jefferson that has inspired me over the years. This is taken from “Declaration of Causes and Necessity of Taking up Arms,” written on July 6, 1775. I first encountered this reading in seminary when our choir performed “The Testament of Freedom.” by Randall Thompson who set these words to music. Emphasis has been added to the passages that move me the most.
We have counted the cost of this contest, and find nothing so dreadful as voluntary slavery. Honor, justice, and humanity forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us. We cannot endure the infamy and guilt of resigning succeeding generations to that wretchedness which inevitably awaits them if we basely entail hereditary bondage upon them.
Our cause is just. Our union is perfect. Our internal resources are great . . . We gratefully acknowledge, as signal instances of the Divine favor towards us, that His Providence would not permit us to be called into this severe controversy until we were grown up to our present strength, had been previously exercised in warlike operation, and possessed of the means of defending ourselves. With hearts fortified with these animating reflections, we most solemnly, before God and the world, declare that, exerting the utmost energy of those powers which our beneficent Creator hath graciously bestowed upon us, the arms we have been compelled by our enemies to assume we will, in defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and perseverance, employ for the preservation of our liberties; being with one mind resolved to die freemen rather than to live slaves.
Having very dear friends currently in harms way for the sake of what is often taken for granted, I offer this reading as inspiration and acknowledgment of my deep gratitude of the sacrifices made by the men, women, and families of our armed forces.
- BP
Wed, Nov 11, 2009
Current Affairs, Gen-X Life, Politics