July the 4th–Empire Day!

Posted by Benjamin on: 07.05.2007 /

As it turned out, my schedule and my sentiments coincided in such a way that I mostly forgot that yesterday was the 4th of July until the day was almost upon us. I did, however, have some thoughts…

Since it was the 231st anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States, I did the same thing I do every 4th of July. I read the whole document again. Have you read it recently? It’s actually quite a fascinating read. It includes a long list of the alleged crimes of King George III of England against the American colonies, including the following:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

Why does all this sound so amazingly familiar? Seems like maybe some contemporary nation and head of state in the world has been carrying out similar actions over the last 4 years. Hmmmmm…..

Often over the last years I have read the whole declaration out loud at 4th of July events at which I’ve found myself. People are often quite surprised at the “merciless Indian savages” language. So much for being PC. This is how these learned fathers of our nation viewed the native Americans. And it certainly showed, since we now know that the signing of this document spelled DOOM to the native Americans, leading to the almost total destruction of their peoples and culture.

Moreover, this “known rule of warfare: an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions” has become in many cases our own rule of warfare.

Yesterday was the first time ever when I purposely didn’t do any celebrating of the 4th of July. I guess it just seemed to me there was more mourning than celebrating to do.

6 Responses to "July the 4th–Empire Day!"

Comment by: Rachel
1 07/6/07 8:47 AM | Comment Link |
Yesterday was the first time ever when I purposely didn�t do any celebrating of the 4th of July. I guess it just seemed to me there was more mourning than celebrating to do.

I felt the same way, Benjamin. I am grateful to be an American, but these days I’m not very proud to be an American.
Comment by: David H
2 07/9/07 4:48 PM | Comment Link |
Just after I read this I happened to listen to an old David Francey CD. Francey is a Canadian by way of Scotland. He is a small-statement folk singer who doesn’t often come to conclusions. His songs are observations. He has a song on his “Waking Hour” album (2004) called “Fourth of July.” It seemed to express a little of what the rest of the world may feel when they look at America. Following are the lyrics and liner notes from that song:

Fourth of July

We were in Madison, Ohio, on the first anniversary of the events of September 11th, 2001. It was all flags and bunting, a nation dealing with its sorrow in part through a display of patriotism, and a government seeing an opportunity to take advantage of it all. Written at Peter and Nancy Clark’s house in Oak Park, Illinois.

(September 27, 2002. Chicago, Illinois)

I returned to the States one year after
The towers returned to the earth
And the sabers were drawn from their scabbards
They were rattling for all they were worth
And I understand how that could happen
I don’t need to ask anyone why
It’s September and I can’t help but think that
It looks like the Fourth of July

Down on the shores of Lake Erie
They see the political slant
The pursuit of their happiness promised
By the stacks of the nuclear plant
Now there’s flags flying on every lamp post
Red white and blue ‘gainst the sky
It’s September and I can’t help but think that
It looks like the Fourth of July

It’s the powers that be pay the piper
It’s the powers that be call the tune
They want all of us up for the dancing
All howling away at the moon
But my ear’s to the ground and I’m listening
I keep watch with a weather eye
It’s September and I can’t help but think that
It looks like the Fourth of July
Comment by: Benjamin
3 07/10/07 7:22 AM | Comment Link |
David,

Thankyou. yeah–the powers that be. Here’s to giving power away.

I love your phrase “What the rest of the world may feel when they look at America”–It’s a feeling which many American have little interest in trying to observe or understand, I fear.
Comment by: Justice and Compassion
4 07/4/08 12:35 AM | Comment Link |
[...] Fourth of July, the brilliant David H. recommended this song, saying Just after I read this I happened to listen to an old David Francey CD. Francey is a [...]
Comment by: martin gugino
5 07/5/08 10:50 AM | Comment Link |
And another:
“depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury”
Comment by: benjamin ady
6 07/5/08 11:33 AM | Comment Link |
Martin,

Yeah–that one caught my eye too.