The ‘he’ in the line below is historian David McCulloch, the author is Peggy Noonan speaking of a conversation at Mt. Vernon:
I asked him how he accounted in his imagination for the amazing fact of the genius cluster that founded our nation. How did so many gifted men, true geniuses, walk into history at the same time, in the same place, and come together to pursue so brilliantly a common endeavor? “I think it was providential,” he said, simply.
It was perhaps a gift from heaven, or perhaps it was the climax of the enlightenment era that our founders came together and forged a nation.
A nation that became a beacon of liberty to the world’s hopeful. A nation not without flaws for what person or what nation is truly perfect?
The founders dream of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness produced the highest standard of living for all it’s citizens in recorded history.
A nation who saw it’s duty to reach out that others may share it’s ideals of life, liberty and the freedom of the individual to pursue their dreams and in that pursuit, lift others to a better life.
A nation whose founding documents sought to limit the power of government and secure sovereignity in the individual. A concept unique in history.
Amidst the fireworks, bar-b-que and parties yesterday I hope we all took a moment to reflect on the founder’s gift and what we do with our heritage in the coming months and years.
That is the responsiblity bequeathed to us by our fathers, grandfathers, veterans, and founders.
Laus Deo.
