Fourth of July, 2021, has come and gone with smells of gunpowder, burgers, and community among the red blooded. Americans look proudly to the heavens, while Chinese made fireworks boom and burst with color and brilliance. We are reminded that the Stars and Stripes, has a representation of all who occupy from sea to shining sea, with individual liberties bestowed from their creator, for man should be free to pursue happiness, despite one’s religion, family, creed, color, handicap, or gender. This experiment, The Republic, was laughed at by the Monarchs of Europe but has held together through, Civil War, Depression, Pearl Harbor, Vietnam, 9/11, and January 6th. Americans are a resilient breed; let’s look to our 1st President and commander of the Continental Army, George Washington.
Although independence was declared on the 4th, 1776, there was 7yrs of war before the colonies gained peace September 3rd, 1883 when the Treaty of Paris was signed. Washington’s army, full of shop keepers, blacksmiths, farmers, painters, and boys, was 20,000 strong in the summer but dropped to 3,000 men by the winter. The Red Coats, the number one army in the world, would not be letting their American cousins off so easy after their Declaration in face of the Crown. Washington’s victories of the east coast strongholds were lost to Lord Crownwell, and let us not underestimate the enemy; they had fought a 7yr. war with France in the New World; in addition to Native alliances. Beaten, battered, and bloody, what was left of the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River on Christmas, through ice, bitter cold, hunger, and darkness to surprise and defeat British troops. They crossed back to Pennsylvania losing only 2 men, not to bullets but nature; as well as booty and prisoners. Riding high on deserved victory, Washington commanded his army to take Crownwell at Trenton on the 2nd of January, and Princeton on the 3rd, the momentum road downhill.
The war raged on while the British reinforced and the Continental misfits scavenged along, promoting an up in-comer to Major General, Benedict Arnold, for his acts of bravery in the Battle of Ridgefield. But alas, he would break the covenant of the colonies for the Crown by marrying into Peggy Shipmen’s family, and close friend, British Major, John Andre. The deal offered Arnold 20k, a handsome sum to fund his extravagant lifestyle, for the surrender of West Point, which he commanded. Unfortunately for Benedict, Militia caught John Andre with papers, red handed! He was hanged and Arnold escaped to the Brits earning 6k, and rank of brigadier general. He asked George Washington for Peggy’s safety and transport, which was granted, but the trade, Andre for Arnold, was a no go. He died later at 60, shunned by the Whigs in England, and others in Canada; upon his deathbed he managed, “Let me die in this old uniform in which I fought my battles. May God forgive me for ever having put on another,” and he departed a man without a country.
Benjamin Franklin, and grandson, Will, departed for France in December 1776, as the appointed ambassador of the Colonies. His essence, life blood, fancy rings, medallions, not to mention his principle; memorized the French, and fashionable ladies adopted the “coiffure a la Franklin” in imitation of the fur cap he wore instead of a wig. Ben’s wit, charm, and New American Enlightenment, swayed the French to join the American cause in 1778. Plus the unaccounted for $100,000 the Continental Congress inquired about upon his return, his reply, “Muzzle not the ox that treadeth out his master’s grain.” It was water under the bridge.
The siege of Yorktown in 1781 with the aid of our new French allies, adding a little Spanish flare, Francisco Saavedra de Sangronis, offered protection to his friend, Comte de Grasse, French Admiral, carrying $500K of Cuban Silver to pay the Continental Army; and creating a blockade at Yorktown. Lord Crownwell was cut off from escape and the overwhelming bombardment resulted in 7,000 men surrendering October 19th, beginning peace talks.
Signing their names on the Declaration of Independence, in the face of death, seemed so long ago after the revolutionary victory; but then the Founders faced their countrymen. The Articles of Confederation loosely united the independent states, for they could not print money, regulate commerce, or enforce anything upon a free state, a new manifest was needed. In secret 55 delegates met in Philadelphia, May, 1887, to come to meeting of the minds and save the experiment. Connecticut delegates Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth, displayed a plan in order to end the population by representation argument, with a dual legislative body. In addition the 3/5 Comprise, which made slaves, 3/5th’s a white man, to serve slave holders, to be counted as representation in the new lower house. Even though slavery contradicted their new decree, individual property rights, a pillar of the new union, left this disagreement for the future generations. For they had to create the Union, before it could become ideal.
George Washington was once again called upon to lead the colonies to greater destiny, a United States, as Commander and Chief, President. Admittedly, George did not want the duties; he had been at war for 7yrs. and wanted to enjoy family at Mt. Vernon. But when country called he answered to unite the colonies, the vote was held February 4, 1789, and he was inaugurated April 30th, 1789, at New York City Federal Hall. His words in the Senate chambers echoed, “that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations—and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, consecrate the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States,” much more inspiring than God bless America.
The experiment rolls on 89,484 days later, striving to become whole, extending liberty, human rights, free speech, freedom of religion, representation, correcting racism, providing for all citizens, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; to form a more perfect Union. The New Rome, New World, America, The United States, The Great Melting Pot, will never perish, for the rabbit has been let out of the hat and the idea of free men and women pursuing their passion, devotion, and discipline; is protected by 13 stripes and 50 stars, the red, white, and blue. Let us not forget the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, 1814, round 2, and the magnificent song that encompasses all under, “Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.” For every individual deserves the rights we hold, not just from NY to LA but all over the globe. This Republic, experiment, United States, is an idea that has caught fire and still burns bright, especially on its birth. The shining city on the hill is a utopia, only imagined, that is until we believe in the honor, validity, and substance of such an insane belief; we make it happen. That’s what truly makes this the best country in the World, We Believe in US.
As Honest Abe said,
- “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”
- “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?”
- “Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves”
- “I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.”
- “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have.”
