After prolonged debate, including changes to Jefferson’s original Declaration presented to the delegates to satisfy the Southern colonies with their economies becoming even more dependent on slavery, on this day 12 colonies with New York abstaining, voted on the resolution for Independency. (New York finally joined in on July 9.)
Although 1776’s John Hancock argued that the vote had to be unanimous or brother would be fighting against brother, the unanimity in Philadelphia was not shared across the new Nation ready to be born. And, the question of slavery was a slow-growing cancer hanging over all the colonies, not to be addressed until many years later.
In reality, the effects of the surgical approach through the Civil War has not yet been resolved. Supreme Court decisions gutting the Voting Rights Act, even after Southern states made it clear after Shelby that they had no intention of ending second-class citizenship, are truly unfathomable. It is more than being blind. We still look for that “new birth of freedom,” which will only come when our Nation truly reflects the spirit of that Declaration we are celebrating.
Prayer for the Day
We do not seek you as a distant deity illumining the skies,
But as a vibrant living Presence in our lives;
More haunted by our fears than buttressed by your hope,
Our ideals falter as we struggle to live in this time.
Help us, O God, to catch a glimpse of your truth so that we live boldly
Expanding our vision of your justice and your peace.
As did the One who shows us the way to live,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
John Adams, letter to his wife Abigail, July 3, 1776
O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me
Until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come.
Your power and your righteousness, O God, reach the high heavens.
You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?
You who have made me see many troubles and calamities, revive me again
Psalm 71: 17-20