Freedom and Liberty Recalled:
“What constitutes the bulwark of our own liberty and independence? It is not our frowning battlements, our bristling seacoasts, the guns of our war steamers, or the strength of our gallant and disciplined army. These are not our reliance against a resumption of tyranny in our fair land. All of them may be turned against our liberties, without making us stronger or weaker for the struggle. Our reliance is in the love of liberty, which God has planted in our bosoms. Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage of all men, in all lands, every where. Destroy this spirit, and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors.”
—Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), 16th U.S. president, from his Sept. 11, 1858, speech at Edwardsville
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Well hello! I like the blog! I use blogspot too! reedcowan.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHope you are well. I still enjoy the word!
Very true. Being the most powerful and sophisticated means nothing if we don't have the spirit to protect. We are American because we want to be free. Without that, we are simply a conqured nation that has freedoms that mean nothing to us. We would be protected by an army that could oppress without us caring.
ReplyDeleteThere will come a day when our love and liberty will be diluted to the point of no more than a thread. Who then will come to our rescue? Those same principle of love and liberty are enduring. THEY will hold strong so long as there are a few who cling to the idea...the spirit.