Remembering why we are free

While many know Thomas Jefferson was the principle architect of the Declaration of Independence, he was really third in line for the job.

Apparently Ben Franklin was expected to largely author it, but a recent illness kept him from doing so in a timely manner so the lead role fell to John Adams who in turn handed it off to the Jefferson.

"You are ten times the writer I am," Adams told Jefferson. Less a speaker than the others, Jefferson set to work and his first draft was then edited by Adams and Franklin.

After making some changes, Jefferson’s edited piece was submitted to the Continental Congress on July 2, 1776, and after intense discussion and minor changes were enacted, the document received approval in the early morning hours of July 4.

Adams noted the occasion: "The Second Day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.

"It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of the continent to the other from this time forward forever more.

"You will think me transported with enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means."

The fact that Adams thought July 2 would be the date to go down in history was an oversight, one prompting MSNBC’s detestable Keith Olbermann to label Adams as a boob.

One wonders whether Olbermann was projecting with that inane comment as Adams and his brethren were anything but boobs. Without brave, forward looking patriots such as Adams that wholly understood the terms liberty and sacrifice, who is to say what would have become of the Thirteen Colonies?

Adams and others knew that the task was far from over, and that even if independence were to be secured, that it would take diligence from that point on to keep America free.

Franklin realized the gravity of the situation, warning his co-conspirators, "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."

So while the loudmouth Olbermann is quite free to openly mock the Founding Fathers of our country, he needs to realize that the ability for him to do so was paid for in blood by brave men from that era.

In the meantime, I think I’ll celebrate the occasion as Adams recommended, perhaps even using my Second Amendment rights, recently bolstered by our Supreme Court. But that’s another history lesson for another time.

Bryce Lambley is a freelance columnist from Fremont.