The summer of 1776 was an uncertain time for the representatives of the American colonies assembled in Philadelphia. After peacefully resisting the steady encroachments of their liberties and their common rights as Englishmen by the British Crown and Parliament, the American colonies were now in open military conflict with their mother country and considering whether or not a more drastic course of action was needed.
After debating independence at length, the Continental Congress set up a committee to draft a declaration of independence from Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson wrote the document, appealing to universal truths and cataloging the violations of rights and freedoms. The signing of our Declaration of Independence, which actually occurred on a number of dates, has been commemorated on July 4 for over two centuries since. By signing the declaration the founding fathers were taking great risks. Their actions that day could have led them to the gallows, and when they said they "pledge[d] their lives" they were hardly being rhetorical.
But not only is the Declaration of Independence a fascinating historical document it is also the philosophical/political foundation for the very spirit of our nation and the constitution which would eventually follow. Truly it is, what some have called, "American scripture."
The Declaration itself is premised on the fact that there is a creator God from whom rights and truths are derived. Phrases like "all men are created equal" and "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights" starkly contradict the notion that the founders did not believe our rights were gifts from God. In the final section the signers appealed to "the supreme judge of the world" and confessed that they firmly relied "on the protection of divine Providence." The signers, many of whom indeed proved to be strong opponents of state-established religion, would not have understood today’s movement to remove all reference to God and religion from the public arena.
Furthermore, our cherished principles of limited government and social contract are enshrined in the Declaration. The role and responsibility of government emerges from the list of grievances listed in the middle of the document. King George III is repeatedly castigated for overreaching his authority and for failing to fulfill his responsibilities as sovereign.
Finally, the Declaration speaks to the sanctity of human life. As articulated in the Declaration, governments are instituted to protect the rights of citizens. Conspicuously placed first among these listed rights is "life." No other right is more fundamental, and pro-lifers can rest assured that when they champion the preservation of human life in all its stages, they are holding fast to the ideals of the founders.
Americans everywhere should regularly read this document and champion its principles. On this day of national celebration and thanksgiving, let us cherish these words and rededicate ourselves to restoring the principles inherited from our founders.