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The American Spirit By Dave Wise 09/15/01 The American Spirit is astir, awakened from a deep slumber, and comforting those who are proud to be an American. Those of us fortunate to live in America know what this means, but if one had to explain to a refugee the meaning of the American Spirit, or rather, the philosophy of being an American it would not be exceedingly difficult. That spirit is embodied with this simple yet enlightened statement: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. That brilliant and graceful proclamation is the foundation on which this country was conceived. The words sound like poetry but are as profound as mankind's highest aspirations and give us courage to be brave in times of cruelty and injustice. Though the words sound simple enough to understand, some deeper meaning underlies its true essence. It was no coincidence that the word "Life" was placed first, underscoring that we could never have Liberty and Happiness if we as a society did not recognize that life is sacred and endowed with certain rights that must not be revoked, subjugated, or compromised. In theory, this meant that if each individual respects all of mankind, in turn mankind would afford the same respect for each individual, as he was entitled. This is not limited to Americans, but granted to our friendly neighbors as well. The word "Liberty" was an affirmation that one was free to attain the bounty of ones labor, be it by hard work, risk, and inspiration, or by intelligence, frugality, and common sense, providing that another mans liberty was not forsaken. This also meant that government was to keep its distance from whatever "Life" individuals decided to live, build, or worship. The pursuit of "Happiness" only established that one had the right to pursue happiness and that there was never any guarantee implied. "Life" and "Liberty" alone may not manifest a happy life since contentment can only belong to the individual who is gratified with the path he chosen in life. This, of course, meant that responsibility was key to living a long, pleasant, and healthy life. No one was entitled to another's property or labor because of faulty planning or misfortune. It is because of this right to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" that the American Spirit has lived on and continues to bestow its benefits to us all each day. These precious rights can only be realized as long as we retain all of them as they were conveyed to us by our founding fathers, for if we lose just one the others are sure to follow. With all that we have to be thankful for, the most important thing for an American to do is to have a clear understanding of the ideals that have made America and it's people the success that it has been. We must remember that freedom is ever vigilant crucial that we respond to challenges from within or outside our borders. What so many of us take for granted can, in the wink of an eye, be destroyed. Without the great American Spirit, the world may have never known that mankind was even capable of achieving such great accomplishments. No one could have conceived that as individuals working for our own self-interest we could realize such wealth and prosperity while living in harmony just by being free. Nobody, that is, but a small group of men who lived a few centuries ago believed that we could self govern by leaving the act of governing in control of the people and once the American Spirit was born, it started a revolution throughout the world. The promise of open immigration brought in millions of enterprising people and created an industrial base like no other in history. We threw open our doors so that all of mankind from all other parts of the world could come here to peaceably work and live among us. To our benefit they also brought their customs, culture, cuisine, and art. We welcomed those who's lives were in such dark despair and poverty that they had no place to go. We knew all around the world that the American Spirit lives in the hearts of all men who want to be free. The American Spirit has had its uncertainty and inconstancy. Through broken promises and warfare the native Americans were plundered and massacred. We still live with the shame. We led a double life for the first century knowing that bondage was immoral and against our basic tenets. A civil war was fought to reform those dark days. We also knew that in order for life to be lived to its unbridled potential, it is intrinsic that all people, indifferent of social strata, income, race, or faith, had a voice within their own government. This wasn't rectified until the last century with the civil rights act. But despite our shortcomings we still persevered and the infamous "Tea Party" at Boston Harbor was a shining example of the American Spirit. This act of rebellion reaffirmed man's right to own property without fear that government will seize the fruits of his labor, his crops, or his home. This acknowledgement is paramount to freedom. The coerced expropriation of ones property by an unchecked government was considered intolerable in their day. When the evils of fascism and communism tried to extinguish freedom around the world, we rallied to reverse that course. Since it is the citizenry that make up this country, we are also called upon to defend it. This right also extends to the individual to defend oneself against aggressors and thus the right to bear arms is implicit in order to be safe at home and ultimately to sustain our union. This great experiment of a government by the people and for the people will only last as long as its citizens recognize that freedom does not come from government, but from being self-reliant and keeping a wary eye on those who would trade freedom for security. That is what ultimately gives us our liberty, for free men cannot be equal because equal men are not free. We are all given our own talents and strengths and it is up to us to use to them to the best of our ability. Working together we can overcome any obstacle, reach any goal, and be the best the world has to offer. The American Spirit can be heard in the millions of voices not silenced by the wrath of a totalitarian regime. Voices of different beliefs, ideas, and dissention can and must be heard in order to maintain a free society. The American Spirit openly advocates that any aggression against peaceful American citizens should be thwarted, even if by our own government, and it is up to the people to abolish any governing body that has become such a tyranny. As our founding fathers knew, government could quickly become an entrenched bureaucracy whose primary goal is to enlarge its influence, insure its position, and obscure that reality. They knew that if "We the People" had the freedom and the will, that someday we may be obligated to overthrow such any corrupt, abusive, and intolerable beast be it here or abroad and form a new system of administration. The concept of forming "A more perfect union" must continue each and every day and as an American, whose soul is filled with the American Spirit, I want to see the American way of life live on for generations to come. The American Spirit lives on in me. My primary hope that those who have never known freedom come here to live it, breathe it, and help spread it around the globe. There is hope because we still have a system that works and much of the world looks to us for guidance. We will prevail if enough people retain that spirit, continue to be optimistic, stand up for what they know is right, and never, ever give up the dream. This is the American Spirit that lives in me and in the millions of others who make up this land. If a tear comes to your eye when you place your hand upon your heart and sing "America the Beautiful," there is hope, for that my friend, is the American Spirit. |
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