The Spirit of the Fifth of July

On the day after the nation’s birthday, when the smoke from the fireworks has cleared, and we’ve cleaned up after guests, America will return to its job of building a nation. Rarely has that job seemed harder. National security, two wars, social unrest, and an economy that can’t seem to find its feet—Americans are supposed to be optimistic, but the current challenges would discourage anyone.

Ben Franklin was an optimist, but he never lost his ability to judge the odds. He knew that establishing the government was just the beginning of much work, and that the outcome was never certain. He knew the risks of rebellion; if England triumphed, he would die disgraced at the end of a rope.

He never assumed that the struggle for independence and security would end.

So, on a Fourth of July as troubled as any we’ve faced, we might appreciate Ben Franklin’s assessment of America beyond his own days. Writing to George Washington from Paris, in 1780, he said:

“I must soon quit the Scene, but you may live to see our Country flourish, as it will amazingly and rapidly after the War is over. Like a Field of young Indian Corn, which long Fair weather and Sunshine has enfeebled and discolored, and which in that weak State, by a Thunder Gust, of violent Wind, Hail, and Rain, seem’d to be threaten’d with absolute Destruction; yet the Storm being past, it recovers fresh Verdure, shoots up with double Vigour, and delights the Eye, not of its Owner only, but of every observing Traveller.”

4th of july | Holidays

3 Comments

July 4, 2009

3 Comments ( Post a Comment )

Bill Scarpino

Posted July 4, 2009 at 9:52 am | Permalink

Americans, one and all, want to see our country flourish. We have the will, the determination, and the ability to make that happen but only if our government will step aside and let us get to it. We, the People, are the answer; not more regulation, big government or heavy taxation.

America was founded on the backs of rugged individuals who fought to free themselves from an oppressive and tax greedy Britain.

Let our hard fought freedom and unsurpassed spirit free and we will once again exceed all expectations.
Sherri

Posted July 6, 2009 at 11:35 am | Permalink

I’m not sure but I think the year here is wrong. It says 1870 but I think Ben Franklin died in 1790. But the article is very good and the quote excellent.
BEVERLY KEAN

Posted August 2, 2009 at 5:43 am | Permalink

Good catch Sherri! None the less he was a brilliant man. Wow.

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