The Great Revolution did not begin at Concord or Lexington, or even in Boston, ten years before the shot heard round the world was fired. The Revolution had been taking place in the hearts and minds of men a generation before the Declaration. When John Adams was still a lad playing what is now known as baseball, Benjamin Franklin and his fellow Englishmen in America had grown weary of the usurpations of the British throne and of Parliament, and the cry of "Don't Tread on Me" began to take hold.
Over those intervening decades there were of course those throughout the colonies who bore a visceral hatred of the tyrant across the sea. But they remained patient, petitioning the authorities for redress of their various and sundry grievances. They even wore the red coat in defense of His Majesty's colonies against a clearer and more present danger in the French and their Indian allies. Indeed, they were proud to call themselves Englishmen to the very day of seperation. It was in that spirit that they continued to try to live at peace as best as they could with their brothers. As Englishmen in America, they had hoped that Englishmen on the home island would share the same love of liberty and life of conscience to which they were accustomed. It was not to be, obviously, and a seperation was eventually consummated on an unseasonably cool day in the summer of 1776.
This consummation we know as the Declaration of Independence. In it is listed a series of grievances that would shock and amaze a history student from today's public schools (I should know, I myself am a recovering public school student). Seperation was made, but not before repeated and repeated and repeated treadings of the avenues of obsecration, advocation, and entreaty had been made, both locally and to the throne itself.
When you suffer an offence or you witness or learn of an offense suffered to a degree that you cannot but stand up and say or do something about it, you will very likely begin by feeling like a very small fish in an ocean of apathy. In a sea of Americans who think that they are mind-bogglingly free, I find myself in a school of ... four. I know how frustrating it can be to sound an alarm and in my frustration knee-jerk to a Founding-Fathers-Revolutionary-War-is-the-only-way-attitude. As more and more of like-minded individuals begin speaking out, more and more of these kind of voices are heard, and a word of caution becomes due.
Before a call to arms can be made, a call to reason must first take place. Indeed, you can say that it has been taking place, but not all avenues of petition have yet been exhausted. It is but unwise and dangerous to foment too early, as the unfortunate revolutionaries in Iraq during the 1990's most painfully found out. Instead, as reflected in the patience of "my cousin" John Adams, we must wait for Providence. Indeed, He is already moving!
Sam
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2 comments:
Sam, well-said. I hope it is not arrogant to make the comparison, but lately I have been thinking that the advent of the "blogosphere" is much like the great pamphleteers of Revolutionary War days. When people's passions are ignited, they will naturally seek some outlet for this - and in turn, their passion may inspire others. I think we all also acknowledge the power of the hand of Providence... may we be His instruments!
No more arrogant than said pamphleteers who accounted their successes to the same Providence, in Whose Care they entrusted their fortunes and lives in the cause, my friend. Indeed, the Most High in Whose Favor one confidently stands is a potent Ally to be sure; a confidence-boost and no mistake!
Sam
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