Independence Day – Times That Try Men’s Souls

Happy Independence Day!

It is common knowledge that in the summer of 1776, the Declaration of Independence was written, ratified, and published across the thirteen colonies — colonies that became a country. Today, nearly two-hundred and fifty years later, we still remember the words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

What is less often remembered is how shaky the idea of American independence still was. By the time summer turned to winter, a British victory seemed almost inevitable. New York City had fallen. George Washington’s army was in full retreat, having recently lost 3,000 men. The Continental Congress had evacuated Philadelphia.

To many Americans, the idea of independence, of freedom, seemed like a lost cause.

But not to one American. For years, a man named Thomas Paine had written tract after tract, pamphlet after pamphlet, urging all Americans to stand up to British tyranny. That winter, he picked up his pen once again and wrote another set of words that deserve to be remembered, every Independence Day:

“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us: That the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods, and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.”

Why do we think Paine’s words should be remembered? Every year we celebrate the Fourth of July by singing songs, lighting fireworks, cooking outdoors, and by spending time with family and friends. But some years, we feel like it’s easy to do these things almost automatically. It’s routine. Some years, we think it’s also easy to feel cynical about the holiday, because we watch the news and see the headlines and realize how far we still have to go as a country.

But never, ever, should the idea of freedom be taken for granted.

Never, ever should the concept of liberty be ignored.

Never, ever should we let the self-evident truth of equality be forgotten.

Paine wrote that “what we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.” These days, it’s easy to esteem our rights and freedoms too lightly, because we are so used to them. But Independence Day is a chance to reflect, deeply and sincerely, how priceless these things are. How difficult they were to attain. How easy it would be to let them slip away.

It’s not always easy to feel patriotic. Times are hard, things are uncertain. There have been events in recent history that have tried our souls; there will certainly be others in the future. But in the winter of 1776, Paine’s words — part of a longer pamphlet called The American Crisis — helped re-energize the push for independence. They inspired the American people to recommit to the Declaration of Independence and everything it stood for.

Those same words can inspire us to do the same thing today.

We are so grateful for the country we live in. We are grateful for the Declaration. And we are grateful for Independence Day. It’s our chance to celebrate not just our country’s founding, but the reasons for its founding: That we are all endowed with certain unalienable Rights, among them being Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.  

So, as the Fourth of July rolls around once again, as we gather around the grill and the fire pit, as we pay tribute to the flag, as the glint of fireworks reflects in our eyes, let us remember: There is nothing cheap or routine about what this holiday represents.

In fact, there are few things in this world more valuable.

On behalf of everyone here at Minich MacGregor Wealth Management, we wish you a very happy Independence Day!