On July 4, 1986, President Ronald Reagan gave a powerful address during Liberty Weekend, which marked the 100th year anniversary and multi-year restoration of the Statue of Liberty. In his speech, Reagan reflected on the history of Independence Day and the courage of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Reagan’s Message
Reagan began by noting that the celebrations of Independence Day are rooted in history. He recalled that after the Declaration of Independence was signed, celebrations took place throughout the land, and many of the former Colonists set off cannons and marched in fife and drum parades.
The president went on to say that the signers of the Declaration of Independence pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honors. He noted that this was more than just rhetoric, as each of those men knew the penalty for high treason to the Crown. Reagan also quoted Benjamin Franklin, who said, “We must all hang together, or, assuredly, we will all hang separately.”
A Lesson in Brotherhood
Reagan also spoke about the importance of national unity and warned that the real obstacle to moving forward the boundaries of freedom comes from within. He noted that even two of our greatest Founding Fathers, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, once learned this lesson late in life. After a bitter and divisive campaign, Jefferson defeated Adams for the Presidency in 1800, and the two men became estranged for many years.
However, when both had retired, they began to speak again to each other through their letters. These letters discussed almost every conceivable subject, including the loss of loved ones, the mystery of grief and sorrow, and the importance of religion. Reagan noted that their correspondence was a lesson in brotherhood, tolerance, and the strength of America as a nation.
Reagan’s speech also reflected on the millions who came to America in search of freedom and the courage they showed in settling in a foreign land. He noted that the hope symbolized in the Statue of Liberty is a hope that someday every people and every nation of the world will know the blessings of liberty.
Original reporting: WMAL (Washington DC) — read the source article.
