"In Congress, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
"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.
"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world."
These opening lines from the Declaration of Independence are as relevant today as they were 250 years ago. They could be written and applied to a significant number of countries around the world. They could be applied anew to the now fifty states and territories of the United States.
The Declaration, then, is a living document because, and for sure sadly, the course of human events is apt to deliver both the good and the bad no matter what the year, what the century.
America is often referred to as an experiment. And for sure it is a standout in a world of varied experiments, some reasonably successful, some downright appalling.
So where does America stand in the historical league table of national experiments? Despite so much that would drag America down, not least the "original sin" of slavery, America, we contend, would still rate a higher than average placing given the many triumphs lined up against the tragedies.
America is yet a dynamic society, albeit one that is far from perfect. The experiment moves on, day to day, year to year. It has to, it needs to.
We would be remiss at this moment in history not to mention the importance of immigration for the growth and prosperity of a nation that began at the hands of an assembly of men - and women wrongly confined to the background - not too far removed from their immigrant ancestors.
George Washington acknowledged how vital the presence of immigrant soldiers was in the ranks of the Continental Army. The presence of many Irish was especially important.
It is in this vein that we allow ourselves a single birthday wish in this 250th year of the Republic. And that is that America again returns to a position where the newcomer is seen as an asset to the country and not a threat. Yes, the borders need to be secure and properly controlled. But the pursuit of happiness is a universal desire. And where better to pursue it than in the United States of America. A Happy 250th to all.
