Corsicana —
I have loved the celebration of the Fourth of July from the time that I was a child growing up in Corsicana. I remember the first Roman candles streaking skyward and the packets of baby firecrackers popping in rapid succession.
As a grown-up, I have told you of the Fourth of July that my husband and I spent in the Capitol with our children when they were in Crocket Junior High School in Irving. It was so hard to get around to the monuments in D.C. that we stashed the rental car in a downtown underground parking garage and walked to the various sites. This strategy, however, used up much of our lagging energy, depleted by heat and humidity, so that we ended up watching the fireworks that night on television in our motel room.
In recent years, my interest in the details of gaining the independence of our nation has been spurred on by membership in James Blair Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. The monumental struggle that the early delegates from the American Colonies engaged in is truly remarkable.
I’ll always remember the time several years ago when I first became acquainted with Francis Russell’s book, “Adams: An American Dynasty.” It describes some of the amazing events involved in the final vote for independence. Even though John Adams had made probably his most important speech ever, the resolution that first day of July continued a two-month impasse in the Continental Congress. New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and South Carolina were still not in favor of independence.
If you are skeptical of arm twisting and deal making, it is best not to look too closely at America or any other history. That night of July 1 was a very special one without which the fireworks on the Fourth would never have gone off: “A long night of talk, persuasion, and maneuverings followed,” according to Russell. “Through it ran a feeling of inevitability, so that even those who had been dubious felt themselves carried away in the emotional current.” Adams, very much involved in the one-on-one and group-to-group discussions, began to take heart and finally came to believe that the resolution might even pass “almost unanimously.”
Never underestimate what can be accomplished on a rainy day. That was the weather picture the next morning, July 2. This was the day that Adams though would be celebrated for years to come. Nothing much happened until after lunch when things got to popping. Wonder of wonders. South Carolina gave in. Then John Dickinson’s agreement “not to take his seat” left Pennsylvania in favor of the resolution.
Finally it happened — the most dramatic event, one that would do credit to any television or movie screen writer. According to Russell, it happened this way: “Then at the last minute a mud-streaked delegate arrived posthaste from Delaware bringing instructions to change that small state’s vote.” That left only New York abstaining.
One of the best judgments of the events of July 2 that I have even read was made by John Adams in a letter to his wife Abigail. (Russell’s account keeps the original spelling, grammar and capitalization.) Adams wrote with great conviction: “Yesterday, the greatest question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater perhaps, never was or will be decided among men.” And, although Adams was apprehensive about the fact that ‘the people are extreamly addicted to corruption and venality,’ he submitted his ‘hopes and fears’ to ‘providence.’
I am wondering whether Adams may have been one of the creators of the early version of “Let’s Celebrate!” Of course, he thought that July 2 would be the day to do it, although the actual signing was two days later. But we can read how he thought the day should be honored: “It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty ... solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illumination from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” Now that’s a real celebration!
When the Declaration was published, Adams wrote again to Abigail: “The Bells rung all Day, and almost all Night ... Even the chimes chimed away!” And Abigail, always the admiring wife, wrote back how ‘gratified’ she was that he had been a ‘principal actor in laying the foundation for “the country’s) future greatness.’
So, folks, the Fourth is not just a time to have a picnic and a parade, although these are a part of the tradition. Notice that the first act requested was “solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.” As the song says, “God is the Author of Liberty.”
“Long may our land be bright with freedom’s holy light; Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King.”
Opinion
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Gelene Simpson is a Daily Sun columnist.
Discussion
A Really Remarkable Event
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