Sophomore accounting major

On a hot summer day, exactly 237 years ago tomorrow, after 56 signatures, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, formally starting the great American experiment, the idea that a democratically elected government could protect and nurture the individual rights of its citizens. In the words of Thomas Jefferson:

“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.”

While the American experiment has not been without its trials, whether they be the Revolutionary War, civil rights or the state of the economy, the United States has endured and thrived.

In the 15 years after the founders made their declaration and the first martyrs shed their blood, the U.S. managed to throw the shackles of British colonialism, create a functioning, democratic government and guarantee Americans’ rights in the Bill of Rights. These years gave America its identity. Since then, we have greatly improved our society by more fully guaranteeing the rights of women and minorities as American society has evolved to understand the truth that all people are created equal.

These early freedoms also guaranteed Americans protection from tyranny or destructive government. For instance, the Fourth Amendment states that “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause.”

Over the past centuries, men and women have died to protect these inherent rights. These martyrs have ensured our values and ways of life can be passed on to the next generation. Our society is not perfect and never will be, but these sacrifices enable us to continually improve our nation in the spirit of freedom and community.

Today, we must not forget our heritage or our responsibilities as Americans. We must celebrate the great things we and our government have done for ourselves and the world as a whole. But more importantly, we must remember our responsibilities as Americans. All of us should contribute to our community in some manner, whether feeding the needy or helping an elderly neighbor.

Americans also need to stand up for their rights as citizens; today, as the federal government grows ever more powerful, we must preserve our rights to be free from unlawful seizure and to speak our minds. For as Jefferson wrote all those years ago, “It is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles.”

The United States is defined by its citizens, not its government. There is no divine right of kings or party; the government is of the people, created by the people. America can only be as good as its people; we have to strive to be active, informed citizens.

Tomorrow is the day we remember our country’s birth in the fire of freedom and horrors of warfare. Let us never forget and always preserve the freedoms that millions have dedicated their lives to guaranteeing and protecting.

Matt Dragonette is a sophomore accounting major. He can be reached at mdragonette9@yahoo.com.