America the Free (and still strong?)

On this day of commemoration for American independence (officially, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence), it is well perhaps for Americans to not only reflect upon the meaning of our national sovereignty, but the origins and price as well.

Michelle Malkin does a pretty good job on these subjects here and here.

USAF photo by Roland Balik

Army "carry team" transfers remains of Army Spc. Israel Candelaria Mejias at Dover Air Force Base, Del., April 2009.

While I am ever a believer at looking closer, particularly toward origins, national sovereignty underlies so much of both national and international discourse these days that it becomes impossible to ignore.

In regard to the subject at hand, there is the matter of Richard Henry Lee who acted under the instruction of the Virginia Convention.

 Richard Henry Lee

On June 7, 1776, Lee introduced a resolution in the Second Continental Congress that proposed independence for the colonies. The Lee Resolution contained three parts: a declaration of independence, a call to form foreign alliances, and "a plan for confederation." 

On June 11, 1776, the Congress appointed three concurrent committees in response to the Lee Resolution: one to draft a declaration of independence, a second to draw up a plan "for forming foreign alliances," and a third to "prepare and digest the form of a confederation."

Because many members of the Congress believed action such as Lee proposed to be premature or wanted instructions from their colonies before voting, approval was deferred until July 2. On that date, Congress adopted the first part (the declaration). New York cast no vote until the newly elected New York Convention upheld the Declaration of Independence on July 9, 1776.

The plan for making treaties was not approved until September of 1776; the plan of confederation was delayed until November of 1777.

(Information excerpted from National Archives Education Staff. The Constitution: Evolution of a Government. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, Inc., 2001.)

The original resolution for independence by Richard Henry Lee of the Virginia Convention in his writing:

Resolved,

• That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.
  
• That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.
  
• That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.

Scribbles on a page that lead to more scribbles. And consensus (in more poetic, perfectionist form; pausing first in Philadelphia, then New York), at last. Culminating in a peaceful aftermath (until the year 1812), originating out of a few scathing skirmishes with scrambling farmers, known simply and succinctly today as the Shot Heard Round the World.

And so, America was born.

Can it be trusted, proven or verified that She stands, yet strong, today?

"A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks."~Thomas Jefferson

"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them."~Richard Henry Lee

"Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong."
~Ronald Reagan