“The Hand of providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations. … The blessed Religion revealed in the word of God will remain an eternal and awful monument to prove that the best Institution may be abused by human depravity. … It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors.” —George Washington (1778)
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. … And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” —Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776
On July 3rd, the day before the Continental Congress affirmed our Declaration of Independence, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, that the 4th of July “ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty.” He continued, “It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
He added: “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. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
Fifteen months earlier, shortly after the Patriots’ Day Battles of Lexington and Concord, John Adams’s second cousin, Samuel Adams, declared, “The People alone have an incontestable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to institute government and to reform, alter, or totally change the same when their protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness require it.”
Of those who would not rise to defend that right, Sam wrote: “If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!”
Why would that first generation of American Patriots forgo “tranquility” for “the animating contest of freedom”?
The answer defined the timeless spirit of American Patriotism then, just as it defines the spirit of American Patriots today. We are devoted to something much larger than our own self-interest.
We are the beneficiaries of generations who pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor “to support and defend” Liberty as enumerated in our Declaration of Independence and enshrined in our Constitution.
As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary of American Independence, I invite you to read about the history of Independence Day and the foundational Unalienable Rights of Man as endowed by our Creator.
For a more complete context about our nation’s founding and the progress toward the fulfillment of the Liberty enshrined in our Declaration and Constitution, read “The Patriot’s Primer on American Liberty.” (Note: we provide Patriot’s Primer Pocket Guides for distribution to civic groups, schools, etc.)
In 1776, George Washington wrote in his General Orders: “The time is now near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged and destroyed, and themselves consigned to a state of wretchedness from which no human efforts will deliver them. The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.”
Three years later, when victory in the American Revolution was in question, he declared, “Our cause is noble; it is the cause of mankind!”
In 1789, reflecting on victory won by the Providence of God, Washington observed, “The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.”
And thus it is our responsibility to keep the sacred fire of Liberty burning bright.
Of our resolve, two centuries later, President Ronald Reagan said: “Freedom is a fragile thing, and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation.”
To that end, we remain vigilant, strong, prepared, and faithful.
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of American Liberty, one of the most cost-effective ways you can extend the blessings of freedom to the next generation is to support our 2026 Independence Day Campaign!
The Patriot Post is inspired by Patriots, supported by Patriots, and devoted to Patriots. Our mission and operations budget is funded entirely by the voluntary financial support of American Patriots like you! Please make your commitment today and ensure that our defense of Liberty remains strong and the ranks of American Patriots continue to grow!
God bless you!
Mark Alexander
Publisher, The Patriot Post
Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis
Pro Deo et Libertate — 1776
On this Independence Day, and every day, join us in prayer for our Patriots in uniform — Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen — and all who stand in harm’s way in defense of Liberty. Pray for their families, who also bear the burden and sacrifice of defending Freedom.
