Two centuries, three decades, and two years ago, our forebears made a promise. They declared “America” to be “Free and Independent States.” Born of the spiritual inspiration of privileged minds like Adams, Washington and Jefferson, and anointed by the perspiration of nameless peasant backs, America affirmed that all of her people are created equal: among their inalienable rights are “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” She insured the promise with a Constitution, making “We the People” constitutionally-mandated policy-makers. She saw her family divided in a bloody Civil War and heard Lincoln reaffirm the promise: “That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this earth.”

With these words, Dr. Robert R. Carkhuff (Bob) addressed 10,000 people in New Orleans in 1974. His now-classic address has been modified for July 4, 2008 for freedomblog.com. Print, download and read a copy of this speech (PDF). Below is the bold conclusion of The Promise of America that lives today.

“And when it comes to be, as ever, that we, too, cease to exist, let us pass on the promise inscribed that those who passed it to us knew why they died. And that we, the promised, knew why we lived!”

Thanks for signing on. I’d love to hear your comments. Look out for our special series on Modern Patriots starting next week.

Happy 4th.

-Bob-