“I am filled with deep emotion at finding myself standing here in the place where were collected together the wisdom, the patriotism, the devotion to principle, from which sprang the institutions under which we live.”  This single sentence originally spoken in Independence Hall by Abraham Lincoln is praised by Martin Diamond as a clean encapsulation of the two great documents upon which America’s origins rest.  The Declaration of Independence, the first, lends the devotion to principles which would Constitute the Government.  Martin Diamond actually argues that what was officially started in 1776 was incomplete and awaiting its infrastructure until 1787.  A nation without a government, but was this intentional?  With sober expectations America’s Founding Fathers were builder, not of a Utopia but of a safeguard from such. 

    Under the auspices of Deity sprang forth certain self evident truths such as equality and rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  These ideas among others were certainly revolutionary in practice and were brought about with the drive of a revolution.  The drive of revolution, however, was a bridled one.  Their thoughts must have resembled the following common phrase in today’s language: “Let’s not do anything we’ll regret.”  So they put a great deal of thought in the process which is a main reason why the final Constitution was not ratified until four years after the Revolutionary War itself was won.  Part of the problem was that there were so many issues to be resolved, and that not solely in politics.  For example, the economic difficulties seemed to be an unusually grievous burden, almost as if the war had simply changed playing fields.  Also issues dependent upon social interests or ideologies were open to criticism and readjusting which brought resentment among the “Union.”  These factors were a sort of “revolution from within” and were not designed to be swept away by a Utopian regime.  Perhaps this was one of the rare times in revolution when those involved did not claim an answer for the ills of government.  Supposing as they did that evil can never be completely reduced ad infinitum because it requires evil to do so, then freedom would be one of responsibility and accountability.  This is what Martin Diamond means by “sober expectations.”  Not all of the troubles would go away because of wisdom, or patriotism, or even devotion to principles.  Therefore with this expectation they were not shocked by democracy, which I restate was a very revolutionary thing to embrace in practice.  The America which sprang forth from this position was simply designed to be an optimization of the principles in practice.  Even if the results have fallen short at times the intent was such and I for one am grateful.  What is your opinion? 

Tags: American Revolution

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