This week, we are celebrating our Independence as a nation. It is easy to say that we are living in “interesting times” where so many things seem to be in flux and conflict between our fellow Americans simmers hotter and hotter. Divisions along the political spectrum are high and so are the prices of almost everything we need on a daily basis to survive. While reflecting on the crazy challenges we face as a nation, I decided to look back at The Mountaineer from other periods of turmoil to see what
The July 3rd issue of the paper from 1947 leapt off the page at me as particularly poignant. 1947 was an important year because the Paris Peace Accords were signed in February of that year, officially ending World War 2. For context: 298,000 American troops died in the war, which is only a small part of the 40,000,000 to 50,000,000 deaths worldwide. Europe was utterly decimated, with nearly every national government in disarray. National borders were being redrawn and governments reformed. In the midst of the chaos, The Mountaineer published an editorial on the front page saying:
“Tomorrow, July 4th, is our Independence Day. Never before in our history did we need more to realize the significance of our life in the United States of America and what Independence Day signifies and why we celebrate it. Aside from our good neighbor to the north and the democracy of Switzerland, the United States is the only country where basic freedoms are recognized and observed. Let us not take this for granted, but let us remember that eternal vigilance is still the price of liberty. This day will be celebrated throughout the land with whoop-and-hurrah of every kind, but in the din and noise of the celebration, it were well if we read our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution which follows it, and appraise their worth. Did we wish to know what all this is worth, we could ask the Frenchmen how they enjoyed being run over by Hitler’s hordes, or the people of the Balkin states if they enjoy the present day presence of the great Russian bear as their overlord. On this day, while we celebrate with noise and dance and song, let us not forget to revitalize the true spirit of freedom and Independence —US— WE THE PEOPLE. Let us keep our government springing from the grassroots and not be overlorded by some entity not of our choosing.”
Our ideological divide and frustration with our neighbors are really not that serious in context of our larger history. In our grandparent’s lifetime, our nation was nearly the only free nation left. The 1947 editorial puts our national strife over monetary policies, taxes, or whatever else in its place. This week, as we celebrate Independence Day, we would do well to follow The Mountaineer’s advice and read our founding documents. Remember that we are free when so many are not. We may disagree with each other, but we are a nation founded on freedom and liberty. That precious and rare legacy unites us as a nation. It is worth celebrating.
