Frederick Douglass’s Strong Critique, and Defense, of America

Frederick Douglass’s lengthy 1852 speech “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” is blistering in its critique of American immorality and hypocrisy on the issue of slavery:

Fellow-citizens, pardon me, allow me to ask, why am I called upon to speak here to-day? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us? . . .

Happy Independence Day!

For your listening pleasure, the national anthem—think of it as exercising First Amendment rights by exercising Second Amendment rights!

Happy Independence Day!

In honor of the Founding Fathers and our other forbears, consider Calvin Coolidge’s “Speech on the 150th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence”.

Although a century and a half measured in comparison with the length of human experience is but a short time, yet measured in the life of governments and nations it ranks as a very respectable period. Certainly enough time has elapsed to demonstrate with a great deal of thoroughness the value of our institutions and their dependability as rules for the regulation of human conduct and the advancement of civilization. . . .

Remy Independence Day Satirical Song

Remy and Reason TV wish you a happy Fourth of July, sort of (warning for indirect vulgarity).

Reason.com has lyrics and links.

Happy Independence Day

Eleven score and fifteen years ago, a group of visionaries brought forth a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

We’re still here.  America is one of the oldest continuously functioning constitutional republics in the world, and she’s still a relatively free country, at least for now.  I think that’s something to celebrate.

As you celebrate today, here’s something to think about:  Why did we declare independence from George III?  Do you think we should have?  Why or why not?