Shine Forth Through Acts of Patriotism, Service and Kindness

In addition to serving, we must remain committed to being the modern-day voices of our ancestors in order to safeguard the legacy of their remarkable sacrifice, vision and courage.   These were far from perfect human beings, who lived in a time very different than our own, with the intolerable institution of slavery an ugly reality. But men like Washington, who freed enslaved people in his will, and Jefferson, who called slavery a “moral depravity,” obviously recognized it as evil in their lifetimes. While it is reprehensible that they were slaveowners, they nonetheless deserve our admiration for their achievement in founding our nation.  

Encyclopedia Britannica explains why in this entry about the American Founding Fathers:

“At the most general level, they created the first modern nation-state based on liberal principles. These include the democratic principle that political sovereignty in any government resides in the citizenry rather than in a divinely sanctioned monarchy; the capitalistic principle that economic productivity depends upon the release of individual energies in the marketplace rather than on state-sponsored policies; the moral principle that the individual, not the society or the state, is the sovereign unit in the political equation; and the judicial principle that all citizens are equal before the law. Moreover, this liberal formula has become the preferred political recipe for success in the modern world, vanquishing the European monarchies in the 19th century and the totalitarian regimes of Germany, Japan and the Soviet Union in the 20th century.

“More specifically, the Founding Fathers managed to defy conventional wisdom in four unprecedented achievements: first, they won a war for colonial independence against the most powerful military and economic power in the world; second, they established the first large-scale republic in the modern world; third, they invented political parties that institutionalized the concept of a legitimate opposition; and fourth, they established the principle of the legal separation of church and state, though it took several decades for that principle to be implemented in all the states. Finally, all these achievements were won without recourse to the guillotine or the firing squad, which is to say without the violent purges that accompanied subsequent revolutions in France, Russia and China.”

They were clearly imperfect – but are still very much worthy of our respect. As stated by the American Historical Association: “George Washington owned enslaved people, but the Washington Monument exists because of his contributions to the building of a nation.” Memorials such as those to Washington and Jefferson don’t ignore their mistakes and failings, but, rather, recognize them for their role in creating a new democratic system of rule, one that we should all hope will forever strive to become still better -- for all of its citizens.

Let us stand proud as the descendants of these men and women who achieved American independence. That is the very purpose of our Society. We must continue to be their voice.  Commit yourself to finding new ways to recognize their contributions through the “Our Patriots” subcommittee of our America 250! Committee. Tell their stories – continue their dream for these UNITED states.

The Founding Fathers also established a remarkably successful example of compromise and commitment to the greater good that should inspire everyone to seek national unity and understanding. Join me in drawing upon the wisdom and example of our ancestors to help our nation and our neighbors despite ongoing turmoil – shine forth and show your love of country and your fellow Americans through acts of patriotism, service and kindness.